Win pulls UNT (Ladys) out of slump

MeanGreen61 · January 28, 2006

Win pulls UNT out of slump

By JEFF WILSON

Star-Telegram Staff WriterDENTON -

Three losses in four games equal one slump, whether the game is Go Fish or Division I women's college basketball.

North Texas entered Thursday's Sun Belt game against Troy mired in its first slump of the season, and the Mean Green knew it needed to start winning again.

Well, cue up Gloria Gaynor. UNT believes its 71-46 victory over the Trojans is proof it has survived a midseason slump and is back on the road to the West Division title.

"It can't get any worse than what it already has been," said senior guard Erika Bobo, who scored a game-high 18 points. "We're just trying to work up from here and try to get the momentum going."

The worst for the Mean Green came Saturday in a 75-47 loss at Arkansas State. Two players were suspended for the game, Bobo suffered a slight concussion, and UNT scored only 17 points in the second half.

UNT started slowly Thursday, trailing 6-2 before breaking out. The Mean Green turned to a full-court press and scored 18 consecutive points.

"I thought the biggest key was on the defensive end," UNT coach Tina Slinker said. "I thought we could have done more, but even with what we were able to accomplish, it got us going on offense."

The Mean Green scored 70 points for the first time in five games, in part because of the 3-pointer. UNT tied its season high with six 3-pointers in 15 attempts.

The Mean Green (14-5, 3-3) is tied atop the West Division standings with Louisiana-Lafayette and has matched its win total from last season.

"It was a sigh of relief to know that we're back at home and we played well again," said Slinker, who watched UNT drop its previous two home games. "Our main focus is what we're doing in conference now. We'll worry about what the record is later."

UNT WOMEN 71, TROY 46

IN THE KNOW

BREAKDOWN

Why North Texas won: UNT held Troy scoreless for 9:02 after going to full-court pressure and took a double-digit lead by hitting 4 of 10 on 3s.

Why Troy lost: The Trojans led 6-2 before surrendering 18 consecutive points. They missed 10 shots and had five turnovers during the stretch.

Notable: With four assists Thursday, Erika Bobo moved into third place on UNT's all-time assists list with 299.

Up next: South Alabama at UNT, 5 p.m. Saturday

Edited January 28, 2006 by MeanGreen61