NT web site: men lose in double OT at NOrleans

[OldTimer]

NT Basketball Falls In Double-OT Thriller At New Orleans

Courtesy: University of North Texas

Release: 12/16/2006

NEW ORLEANS (12/16/06) – The battle at the Big Easy proved anything but that, as North Texas fell to New Orleans 97-93 in double-overtime in a slugfest at the Human Performance Center.

Both teams traded baskets all night in a game that featured 11 lead changes and 12 ties.

Shawn Reynolds scored the final five Privateer (5-6, 2-0) points, including a dagger three-pointer with approximately 45 seconds remaining. Reynolds also knocked down a trio of free throws with seven second left to ice the game.

North Texas (7-3, 0-1) had five players in double figures for the third time this season, but it wasn’t enough as North Texas has now fallen in its last three overtime games to New Orleans – two in double overtime.

“We’re growing by leaps and bounds as a basketball team, but this was a tough game,” said head coach Johnny Jones. “My hat is off to New Orleans, they did what they needed to down the stretch and made the plays.”

It didn’t long for one of the Sun Belt’s premier players to get going, as Bo McCalebb racked up double figures before 4:30 had ticked off the clock. The junior scored 10 of the Privateers first 13 points, and sparked a 16-2 run in the game’s opening minutes. McCalebb finished with a career-high 39 points, topping his previous high of 36 in his last game.

North Texas was able to respond on the back of Michael Sturns. The junior came off the bench and scored eight unanswered points during a 10-0 Mean Green run. Sturns kept the Mean Green in the game down the stretch with a handful of clutch shots. The Fort Worth native posted a career-high 28 points.

For only the second time this season the Mean Green had five players hit a 3-point shot. Ben Bell knocked down a pair from beyond the arc, as well as Calvin Watson and Sturns. Rich Young and Quincy Williams also hit a three pointer.

Williams had another solid outing for the Mean Green in just his third start. The junior was just one point from his third career double-double, racking up nine points and a season-high 11 rebounds.

North Texas wraps up its five-game road trip at Western Kentucky on Tuesday night. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and can be heard on the Mean Green Radio Network.

[MeanGreenBuzz]

Tough loss and tough game. The guys fought hard and hard every chance to win this game. One thing I can say is McCalebb is one helluva player.

[BubbaGreen]

that sucks!

[EagleD]

It sounds as though our team is getting a lot better. But these are the games we have to win. Expect more!

GO MEAN GREEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gksmith]

It is a little early to start saying "must win" but NT really needs to beat WKU on Tuesday.

[SUMG]

It is a little early to start saying "must win" but NT really needs to beat WKU on Tuesday.

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Well I hate to tell you, but if we can't beat UNO in front of a raucous crowd of 458......we sure the hell ain't beating WKU. As a matter of fact, that one probably won't be that close.

[foutsrouts]

Tough loss. One thing is for sure, we have had a tough time slowing down the opposition's star player on the road all season. The team stud torched us with big numbers at Rice, Nebraska, and now New Orleans. This team is gonna have to step up defensively in a big way against Western Kentucky on Tuesday.

[NT03]

Well I hate to tell you, but if we can't beat UNO in front of a raucous crowd of 458......we sure the hell ain't beating WKU. As a matter of fact, that one probably won't be that close.

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If we start out sluggish .......AGAIN this one could get out of hand. Hopefully JJ has the players do nothing but shoot FT and run sprints for 3 full days... NOTHING ELSE. If we shoot 50% at the line today we win , that's just sad to have to say. I wouldn't call it a "must win" game. All we have to do is get KD 100% and get into the SBC tourney and anything can happen.

Edited December 17, 2006 by NT03

[CaribbeanGreen]

another year, more of the same...