UNT WEB SITE: NT loses to UH 84-92

OldTimer · December 24, 2005

Mean Green Battles Houston In 92-84 Setback

Courtesy: University of North Texas

Release: 12/23/2005

Courtesy: Rick Yeatts

DENTON (12/23/05) -- The North Texas men's basketball team had five players score in double figures and had 34 points from its bench, but was unable to overcome a hot-shooting Houston team in a 92-84 loss in front of a bipartisan crowd of 4,100 at the Super Pit Friday. It was the first loss at home for the Mean Green, which dropped to 4-4 on the season. Houston improved its record to 5-3.

Houston shot a season-high 54.8 percent from the field which helped it overcome a season-high 24 turnovers en route to the victory. The Cougars shooting performance was also the best field goal percentage by a Mean Green opponent this season. The Cougars also scorched the Mean Green from behind the arc, hitting 14 three-pointers - the most allowed by the Mean Green this season.

In a game that featured nine lead changes, Houston eventually took the lead for good near the seven-minute mark of the second half. The Cougars were fueled down the stretch by junior guard Oliver Lafayette, who led all scorers with 25 points and senior forward Ramon Dyer who added 23, including a season-high seven three pointers. The Cougars never led by more than the final difference of eight points.

North Texas was led by junior guard Kendrick Davis who scored 20 points on 6-of-13 shooting and added seven free throws. Freshman Harold Stewart scored a career-high 13 points off the bench. Michael Sturns (12), Quincy Williams (10) and Isaac Hines (10) were the other North Texas players to hit double-figures.

North Texas tied the game at 62 with just under 12 minutes to play in the game. The two teams went back and forth for the remainder of the game, with North Texas taking a 68-67 lead when senior point guard Isaac Hines hit a three-pointer with just under eight minutes to play. Houston took the lead for good a short time later and was able to hold on with the help of a desperation three-pointer by Lanny Smith as the shot-clock expired with just 1:10 left to play in the game.

Houston held a 43-36 halftime lead, thanks in part to nine three pointers in the first 20 minutes. Dyer was 5-of-8 from three point land in the first half and led all scorers at the break with 16 points. North Texas was 1-of-9 from behind the arc in the first half.

The win for the Cougars broke a two-game losing streak, which included a 66-62 loss to Sun Belt Conference member South Alabama. North Texas’ streak of seven straight non-conference wins at the Super Pit ended with the loss. It was also a milestone for Houston coach Tom Penders who recorded his 550th career victory.

North Texas returns to action at home Dec. 28th against the University of Texas-Permian Basin at 7 p.m.

North Texas vs. Houston box score