Where's The Beef ? Mean Green Shots Are Sizzling

MeanGreen61 · December 31, 2006

Where's the beef? Mean Green's shots are sizzling

By TROY PHILLIPS

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DENTON -- It was free burgers for everyone at North Texas again, but maybe something other than 3-pointers should trigger that fast-food giveaway.

Say, maybe shooting 60 percent?

UNT (11-3, 2-1 Sun Belt) made the required seven 3-pointers for the burger jackpot, but also shot 60 percent or better for the second time this season. UNT blew open a close game in the second half with a 91-79 victory over Denver (1-13, 0-4) at the Super Pit.

UNT again lit it up from 3-point range and those free burger coupons were handed out for fourth time this season.

But UNT also shot 70 percent in a half for the second time this season. Overall, UNT was 31-for-48 from inside the 3-point line, creating easy shots and fast-break chances.

In the second half, the Mean Green made 14 shots in the lane and pushed a 54-51 lead to 86-66 in a little more than 10 minutes. Denver, which made 8 of its 14 3-pointers in the first half, led 48-45 at halftime.

"The difference [in the second half] was our defense," UNT center Keith Wooden said. "We picked up the pressure, and the offense came. We want to be known as a defensive team first."

Wooden and power forward Quincy Williams pummeled Denver inside. Williams had his third career double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Wooden (20 points, 7 rebounds, four assists) had the jump-hook working and found several teammates cutting to the hoop. In the end, it was a matter of too many scorers for Denver to account for.

In just his second game in a month after returning from hand surgery, guard Kendrick Davis scored 18 points. With so many options, UNT barely missed guard Calvin Watson (out with an ankle injury), its leading scorer while Davis was out.

Sixth man Michael Sturns was instrumental in UNT's second-half surge. Twice he pushed UNT to double-digit leads, 69-58 on a steal and layup and 74-64 on a tip-in and subsequent free throw.

Sturns, who led UNT with 22 points, maneuvered well in traffic and was one of five Mean Green players to score in double figures.

"We did a tremendous job coming out in the second half," UNT coach Johnny Jones said. "We're getting good post play, and the guards continue to play well. We lose a player, and someone keeps stepping in and playing well."

The Pioneers, who shot 30 percent despite a game-high 27 points from DaShawn Walker, had trouble running their offense inside the 3-point line, going 12-for-50 inside the arc.

NORTH TEXAS MEN 91, DENVER 79

In the know

BREAKDOWN

Why North Texas won: The Mean Green shot 70 percent in the second half and 62 percent for the game, blowing out Denver in the second half.

Why Denver lost: The Pioneers couldn't make anything but 3-pointers or guard UNT's deep well of scorers.

Notable

UNT center Keith Wooden did not start but played 28 minutes. He was suspended for UNT's previous game against Belhaven for an undisclosed team violation.

Saturday's UNT women's game at Western Kentucky was postponed. The Mean Green couldn't leave D/FW Airport on Friday, and the game will be rescheduled.

Up next: UNT at Arkansas-Little Rock, 7:30 p.m., Thursday

Edited December 31, 2006 by MeanGreen61