01/28/06– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JAGUARS REGAIN FIRST PLACE IN WEST WITH 89-67 VICTORY AT NORTH TEXAS
CONTACT: Kit Strief

Box Score

DENTON, Texas - A career-high 21 points off the bench by sophomore Demetric Bennett helped lead the Jaguars past North Texas on Saturday night at the Super Pit, 89-67. USA ends a two-game skid and improves to 14-5 overall and regains first place in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference by a half a game over North Texas. Senior Chey Christie also had a career-high chipping in 17 points.

In a very physical and up-tempo first half, USA jumped out to a 32-18 lead through the first nine minutes of the half with the help of a 13-3 run from the 11:09 mark to the 9:00 mark. During the run, USA upped its shooting percentage from 63.6 percent to 73.7 as it made seven-of-eight shots during the stretch.

USA increased its lead to a game-high 18 points capped by a layup by sophomore Demetric Bennett at the 2:40 mark to go up 48-30. North Texas battled back and cut the deficit to 11 points as it went on a 7-0 run to end the half.

The Jaguars were 18-of-32 from the floor in the half for 56.3 percent, while North Texas was 10-of-24 from the field for 41.7 percent. Bennett had 15 points off the bench for the Jaguars to lead all scorers. He was the only player in double figures during the half. UNT’s Harold Edwards paced the Mean Green with seven points.

USA was 10-of-14 from the line while UNT was 15-of-22. The Jaguars held a 19-16 lead on the boards.

Two of the league’s best 3-point shooting teams were a combined four-of-nine for the half. Bennett was a perfect 2-of-2 to lead the Jaguars.

UNT cut the lead to single digits for the last time moments into the second half with 17:08 to play in the game. A jumper by senior Michael Phillips put the Jaguars back up double digits.

USA built an 18 point lead on a trey by Bennett with 6:54 to play, but North Texas would not go away it closed to within 11 with 3:35 to play, but USA responded with a 12-2 run to close the game for the victory.

For the game, the Jaguars shot a season-best 31-of-53 for 58.5 percent. USA was 9-of-16 from beyond the arc and 18-of-28 from the charity stripe. North Texas shot 38 percent on 19-of-50 from the field and 5-of-17 from beyond the arc. The Mean Green were 24-of-38 from the free throw line.

Kendrick Davis paced the Mean Green with 17 points in the loss.

USA has now beaten North Texas four consecutive times and two straight in Denton.

USA continues on the road at Arkansas-Little Rock on Thursday, Feb. 2, before returning home for Homecoming on Saturday, Feb. 4 against Arkansas State.