UNT Commits Just 4 Turnovers In Win Over LMU

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LOS ANGELES – A 22 point day from Chris Jones and a ball-handling game for the ages lifted the North Texas basketball team to a 76-63 win over Loyola Marymount in the Doubletree LA Westside LMU Centennial Classic finale on Sunday.

Jones, who tallied his third 20-point game this year, ran the point for a Mean Green (3-5) team that turned the ball over just four times – the fewest by an NT team since it had four against McNeese State in 1993. Jones was named the tournament’s Player of the Game for his efforts.

Loyola Marymount (5-4) had knocked off two ranked opponents already this year, but couldn’t keep the Mean Green off the offensive glass. NT out-rebounded the Lions 37-32 overall, but maintained a 15-7 edge on the offensive boards.

Jordan Williams had five points at the half, but finished the game with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting. The freshman also led North Texas with seven rebounds.

Jones and Williams opened the game with a pair of jumpers to give the Mean Green a quick 4-0 edge just a minute into the contest.

Minutes later, Jones scored four straight points to give NT an 18-15 lead, including a fast-break steal and layup with a dozen minutes on the first half clock. The freshman, who entered the tournament as the nation’s sixth highest scoring freshman, worked the Lions’ 2-3 zone defense for 12 first-half points.

Jacob Holmen saw his first action for the Mean Green since Nov. 22, missing four games with an injury. He didn’t take long to find the scoresheet, landing a pair of jumpers that put NT on top 22-20 midway through the first half.

North Texas turned three steals and nine LMU turnovers into a 14-0 edge in points off turnovers, and went into the halftime break on top 38-35. The Mean Green committed just a single turnover in the opening frame.

The Jones to Williams connection hooked up in the second half for an alley-oop from the left baseline that sent the Gersten Pavilion crowd into a frenzy, and gave the Mean Green a 47-42. On the next trip down the floor, Alonzo Edwards extended the lead to seven points on a dunk from the low post.

Jones’12-foot jumper with 8:45 remaining in the game gave NT its first 10-point lead of the game. That prompted full-court pressure from LMU, but NT continued to find scoring options. Alzee Williams landed a 3-pointer from the right corner made it an 11-point game and put the nail in the coffin.

With its seven-game road swing in the rear-view mirror, North Texas returns home to face Sam Houston State at the Super Pit on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.

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