Hopkins, Davis Spark 98-93 Exhibition Victory

MootPoint · November 9, 2002

Sophomore guard Leonard Hopkins and senior guard Chris Davis poured in 22 and 20 points, respectively, to lead the North Texas Mean Green past the Texas Blue Chips, 98-93, in a men's exhibition basketball game Friday.

In North Texas' first action of the 2002-03 season, Hopkins connected on two three-pointers and hit 12 of 13 free throws to lead four Mean Green players in double figures. Davis hit eight of 20 field goals and went four of five at the free throw line to finish with 20 points.

Also in double digits for the Mean Green were senior forward Jermaine Green with 13 points and freshman forward Ron Harris, who came in off the bench to contribute 10 points.

"I thought we did an excellent job in the first half," said North Texas head coach Johnny Jones. "We played with energy, defended well and penetrated offensively. I was a little disappointed in the second half. We gave up too many points and weren't patient on offense."

The Mean Green forced the Blue Chips into 13 first-half turnovers and raced to a 50-32 halftime lead. Eleven different Mean Green players scored with Davis' 10 points leading the way in the first period.

The Blue Chips hit six of their 10 three-pointers in the second half and out-scored North Texas by a 61-48 margin to put a scare in the Mean Green. In the first 12 minutes of the final half, the Blue Chips out-scored NT by a 31-12 margin to pull to within a point at 64-63 with 8:11 left.

That was as close as the Blue Chips would get, as North Texas connected on seven of eight free throws in the game's final minute to secure the win.

North Texas will play its second and final exhibition game at the Super Pit against the Texas-Louisiana All-Stars on Monday, Nov. 15.