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DENTON, Texas – North Texas came back from an eight-point deficit after halftime and scored on its final seven possessions of the game to win 82-79 over the University of South Alabama men’s basketball team Thursday night at the Super Pit.

NT snaps a four-game losing streak and is now 17-8 on the season and 6-6 in the Sun Belt Conference. USA falls to 10-14 and 4-9.

The Jags lost despite shooting a season-high 57.1 percent from the floor, including 60.7 percent before halftime. However, South Alabama converted just 47.6 percent (10-21) at the free throw line.

“We didn’t hit our free throws,” USA head coach Ronnie Arrow said after the game. “We did enough to win. I’m proud of the guys in certain areas but we had two key turnovers late in the game that really cost us. Other than that, our floor game was good and we worked the ball well. But you can’t win any close game going 10-for-21 from the free throw line.”

The Mean Green slowly worked the Jaguars’ lead of eight down over a seven-minute period and jumped ahead at the 10:54 mark on a three-point play by Dominique Johnson.

North Texas would not relinquish that advantage until there were fewer than four minutes to play. USA senior Tim Williams (Pontiac, Mich.) hit a 3-pointer and senior Gary Redus (Decatur, Ala.) converted a Martino Brock (Memphis, Tenn.) steal into a lay-up just 23 seconds apart to turn a four-point deficit into a one-point lead.

Johnson answered for NT with a 3-pointer, the first of seven straight possessions that resulted in a score. Sophomore Martino Brock (Memphis, Tenn.) hit a triple to pull the Jags to within 74-72 but White took advantage of an offensive rebound and hit a lay-up. South Alabama turned the ball over on its next time down the court and White hit two more at the line.

USA’s next two baskets were answered each time with two additional White free throws.

“We were our own worst enemy,” Arrow said. They had at least six points driving the length of the court and shooting lay-ups. We just didn’t get back. You can’t give up lay-ups in transition.”

Tristan Thompson led all scorers with 18 points, 13 after halftime. Johnson also heated up in the second half, totaling 12 of his 14 points after the break.

Redshirt freshman Augustine Rubit (Houston, Texas) came off the bench to pour in 17 points for the Jags. Brock scored all 14 of his points in the second half while sophomore Javier Carter (Dallas, Texas) tallied 13 first-half points.

South Alabama resumes its schedule Sunday afternoon at Denver. Tip-off is at 1 p.m. MST and the game will be televised on FSN-Rocky Mountain.

NOTES: South Alabama lost for the second time this season when leading at halftime (9-2) and outshooting its opponent (10-2)… Redus blocked two shots, extending his streak of eight straight games with at least one rejection… USA started the game shooting 10-for-13 from the field (76.9%)… Carter hit six of his seven of his shots from the floor but was shut out in the second half… The team’s 79 points are its most in a loss this season… George Odufuwa tallied a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds), gaining the conference’s lead in double-doubles (12) from Rubit who has 11.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

—USA—