Fw*tele, Mens Bb Faced With Elimination Nt Steps Up

[OldTimer]

Faced with elimination, UNT steps up to next level

By TROY PHILLIPSStar-Telegram Staff Writer

DENTON -- For some reason, North Texas forward Harold Stewart finds the concept of sudden elimination exhilarating.

For two years now, Stewart has located a previously nonexistent gear in his game to start the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

Visibly goofy at times -- even in practice -- Stewart is all business in March.

"I just turn it up a notch, because I don't want the season to end," said Stewart, who is from Crowley. "I can't stand for it to be over."

He had company in the who's-that-guy file Wednesday.

With Stewart manning the defense, reserve guard Adam McCoy scored a career-high 21 points in UNT's 85-63 rout of Arkansas State in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament at the Super Pit.

UNT (20-10) advances to take on Western Kentucky in Sunday's second round at 9 p.m. in Mobile, Ala. ASU, last year's tournament runner-up now in search of a new coach, finished a tumultuous 10-20 season.

McCoy's line astounded: 8-for-8 from the field, including 5-for-5 from 3-point range. Stewart had nine points, nine rebounds (eight defensive), two blocks and was 7-for-8 at the foul line. His defensive energy was boundless.

Keith Wooden (14 points, nine rebounds), Ben Bell (12 points, six assists) and Josh White (12 points) also gave ASU constant trouble. The Indians were 0-3 against UNT this season, but this meeting wasn't a slugfest like the others.

"It's been a longtime coming," McCoy said of his break-out night. "Like Harold said, it's win or go home. No one on this team, the players, coaches, trainers -- no one -- wants to clean out the lockers."

UNT responded to two separate tirades by coach Johnny Jones. He lit up his players early after ASU's Adrian Banks (17 points) canned a 3-pointer with UNT's defense on its heels. UNT led 23-22, but the teams were trading scores.

"We had to get stops," Jones said. "We got going and played better."

Jones was riled up again in the second half, when ASU cut a 14-point deficit to eight on Banks' 3-pointer while falling out of bounds. He was fouled and converted the 4-point play to make it 60-52.

"When coach gets on you, you don't want that, because you'll get it in practice," said Stewart, seeming to speak from experience.

UNT finished on a 25-11 run, with McCoy and Stewart together responsible for stretching the lead from 66-53 to 81-56.

"Harold plays with an edge at times, and he's shown that often for us," Jones said. "Adam picked a fine time to have his best game."

UNT MEN 85, ARKANSAS STATE 63

Breakdown

Why UNT won: The Mean Green shocked Arkansas State by getting a "perfect" game out of guard Adam McCoy, who was 8-for-8, including 5-of-5 from 3-point range, to finish with 21 points.

Why Arkansas State lost: The Indians finally ran out of steam in a season of injuries, suspensions and the resignation/firing of coach Dickey Nutt.

Up next: UNT vs. Western Kentucky, 9 p.m. Sunday, Mobile, Ala.

Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760

tphillips@star-telegram.com