DENTON, Texas – North Texas scored the first 14 points of the fourth quarter, as the Mean Green pulled away from the ULM women's basketball team for the 63-51 win Friday night at the Super Pit.
While the Warhawks (1-8) had success in slowing UNT's (5-6) leading scorer and rebounder, senior center Anisha George, freshman forward Destinee McDowell took over, scoring 21 points, including 15 in the second half. George, who entered the game averaging a double-double, was held to nine points and five rebounds while turning the ball over five times.
"(Assistant coach) Christie Sides did a great job for our game schemes tonight," ULM head coach Brooks Donald Williams said. "I thought we played three really good quarters defensively against some tough post match-ups for us. I thought we stepped up to the challenge for about 30 minutes."
While the Warhawks spent much of their defensive effort collapsing on George any time a pass went in her direction, junior center Diamond Brooks led the charge in slowing down the opposing post.
"She played phenomenal defense for most of her time on the floor," Williams said. "I thought it was her best defensive effort of the season thus far, against a very tough offensive post player."
The Warhawks trailed 7-2 early before going on an 8-0 run, doing most of their damage at the free throw line. Senior Amber Thompson hit four free throws in the stretch, while freshman Gara Beth Self added two more and senior Lauren Fitch chipped in a fast break layup as the Warhawks went ahead 10-7. UNT retook a brief lead at 13-11, but Jamie Means knocked down a pair of free throws with 17 seconds left in the frame. The game was tied at 13 after a quarter.
ULM continued to struggle from the floor in the second quarter, but used the free throw line, solid defense and rebounding to stay in the game. Junior Diamond Brooks knocked down a jumper in the paint to give ULM a 16-15 lead with 8:04 left in the half. It was ULM's third field goal of the game, and their last of the first half. The lead changed hands three more times in the quarter before ULM tied the game at 19 on a free throw by Fitch. However, ULM was scoreless over the final 3:35 of the half, as UNT went on an 8-0 run to close the period with a 27-19 lead at halftime.
The Warhawks shot just 3-of-24 from the field, or 12.5%, in the first half. However, ULM out-rebounded UNT 21-18, including limiting the Mean Green to two offensive rebounds.
In the third quarter, UNT pushed the lead to 10 on two different occasions, going on top 31-21 and 33-23 with 8:11 left in the quarter. ULM made seven consecutive shots in the quarter, including a 10-0 run to tie the game. Thompson started the run with ULM's first 3-pointer of the night, and junior Whitney Goins ended the run with the second and final trey of the night for the Warhawks, tying the game at 33 with 5:01 to play in the quarter. However, UNT would not allow ULM to take the lead, pushing the advantage back out to three by the end of the quarter at 40-37.
The game was decided in the opening moments of the fourth quarter. ULM turned the ball over on three of the first four possessions of the quarter, while UNT made its first four shots. The Mean Green quickly scored the first eight points of the quarter to take a 48-37 lead with 8:06 to play, forcing Williams to take a timeout. However, it didn't slow the Mean Green, as UNT scored the next six points to tally the first 14 points of the quarter, and stretch the run to 16-0 when including the final basket of the third quarter, to take a 54-37 lead with 5:49 remaining. ULM would get no closer than the final margin of 12.
"I thought we did some really good things offensively in the first half, getting to the free throw line and attacking," Williams said. "I thought we really attacked their pressure and took advantage of some of our strengths. I thought their pressure affected us in the second half. Shots didn't fall for us and they converted. It was certainly a little bit tougher for us to attack their pressure and convert."
Fitch and Brooks led ULM with 12 points apiece. In addition to McDowell's big night, freshman Jazion Jackson joined McDowell in double figures for UNT with 10 points.
ULM shot 32.0% (16-of-50) from the field, 14.3% (2-of-14) from the 3-point line and 77.3% (17-of-22) from the free throw line. The Warhawks picked up 35 rebounds, 11 assists, eight steals and one block while turning the ball over 19 times. UNT shot 50.0% (26-of-52) from the floor, 14.3% (1-of-7) from the 3-poitn line and 58.8% (10-of-17) from the free throw line. The Mean Green had 31 rebounds, 10 assists, 11 steals, four blocks and 14 turnovers.
The Warhawks wrap up the pre-Christmas schedule on Sunday when they visit Texas Tech. Links to live video, audio and stats are available at ULMWarhawks.com.
