UNT Women Beat Alabama 69-63 For First SEC Win
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DENTON, Texas – North Texas women’s basketball maintained its hot start to the season Wednesday night when it held off the Crimson Tide of Alabama for a 69-63 win at the Super Pit.
The Mean Green, led by first year head coach Karen Aston, has collected a three game win streak for the first time since the beginning of the 2008-09 season and at 7-2, have tied the second best record after nine games to start the season in program history. The win marked the first time North Texas has defeated a Southeastern Conference team.
“I feel that we came out yesterday and practiced really well and prepared for this game without fear,” said Aston. “This was a great opening to a huge stretch of games for us and we’re looking to carry over the confidence that we have to Friday night against a good Tulane team.”
After three quick points by the Tide (7- 3) to take a 33-32 lead coming out of the locker room, the Mean Green assembled a 13-6 run to take its largest lead of the game at 48-38 with 12:24 remaining in the game.
North Texas was able to keep Alabama at arm’s length for a majority of the rest of the game until the Tide’s Meghan Perkins converted a three-point play with 5:26 to go to tie the game at 56-56.
Sophomore guard Laura McCoy then reeled off five of the next eight points in the game, capped by a three-ball with 2:59 left on the clock to take the NT lead to 63-57.
After three Tide points and a Tamara Torru putback layup, Alabama’s Erika Russell delivered a clutch 3-pointer to bring the Mean Green lead to 65-63. However, sophomore Alyssa Hankins converted a layup with 17 seconds to go and North Texas was able to hang on for the win.
The first half was back-and-forth as the Crimson Tide jumped out to an
early 19-10 lead, but North Texas would not be denied as it played its way back into the game, leading by five with 2:39 to play before the break. Alabama would cut the lead to two though and the Mean Green took a 32-30 lead into the half.
Brittney Hudson led the Mean Green with 13 points, while Torru fell one point shy of a double-double with 13 rebounds and nine points. North Texas outrebounded Alabama 45-31 on the night including 17 offensive boards.
Kyra Crosby was the leading scorer for the Crimson Tide with 13 points as well.
The Mean Green will be back in action as it hosts the Tulane Green Wave Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. from the Super Pit.
