Mean Green Loses To Longhorns

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AUSTIN, Texas – A Big 12 pedigree helped Roger Franklin notch his first career double-double and keep North Texas within striking distance, but Texas kept the Mean Green at bay with 46.2 percent shooting in a 73-57 loss on Tuesday.

The Oklahoma State transfer notched 13 points and 12 rebounds – both career highs – and gave the Mean Green (1-4) its first double-double of the year. Alzee Williams, NT’s hottest shooter this year, was just that against the Longhorns (4-2) with a career and game high 17 points.

Williams also drew the night’s toughest defensive matchup and passed with flying colors, holding one of the nation’s leading scorers, J’Covan Brown, to a season low six points.

Williams hit a layup with 9:30 remaining in the game to narrow the Longhorn advantage to 13 at 59-46. The sophomore has yet to miss from the free throw line this year and cut the UT lead to nine points just moments later with two more free throws.

But that was as close as NT would come against at Texas team that held NT to 30.6 percent shooting – its fourth straight game under 40 percent. Myck Kabongo led UT with 16 points on the night.

North Texas controlled the boards thanks in part to Franklin’s efforts. The Mean Green out-rebounded Texas 46-30, including a 22-9 edge on the offensive glass.

Alzee Williams and Jordan Williams hooked up to give the Mean Green an early 3-1 edge. Alzee drove across the key and hit Jordan in the left corner for a 3-pointer from the baseline.

Minutes later, Jordan splashed home another 3-pointer to close Texas’ lead to 12-8 with 13:25 on the first-half clock.

For the second straight game North Texas hit four first-half three pointers, including the pair from Jordan Williams. Brandan Walton and Chris Jones also splashed from deep to help the Mean Green shoot 44.4 from deep in the first frame.

Alzee Williams quieted the Erwin Center crowd when he hit a contested 15-foot jumper and drew a foul. His free throw make kept NT alive at 32-26. Alzee hit another runner from the baseline with 30 seconds on the clock to send the Mean Green into the half down 38-28.

North Texas wraps up its seven-game road swing with a trio of matchups at the LMU Centennial Classic in Los Angeles this weekend.