Charlotte, N.C. – The UNT women’s basketball team pulled off an impressive comeback, overcoming a 13-point deficit to win against Charlotte, 82-73, at Halton Arena.
Charlotte took the lead early, scoring the first twelve points. They built a 13-point lead in the second quarter. But North Texas wasn’t about to back down. They turned the game around with a strong offensive performance, hitting 10 out of 18 three-pointers and 16 out of 17 free throws. Despite Charlotte’s reputation for being a top offensive rebounding team, UNT secured the boards, finishing with 32 rebounds to Charlotte’s 30.
Jazzy Owens-Barnett and Andi Schissler led the way for UNT. This was the first game of the season where two teammates scored over 20 points. Owens-Barnett matched her career-high with 21 points, shooting a superb 10 of 11 from the free throw line. She also contributed three rebounds and four assists. Schissler hit six three-pointers, a Division I career-high, racking up 20 points.
The Mean Green defense was a game-changer, allowing only 27 points in the second half. Head coach Jason Burton credited the players’ hard work. “That defensive effort in the second half was what did it for us,” he said, emphasizing the importance of free throws in clutch moments, especially Owens-Barnett’s performance.
Aysia Proctor added 16 points, while Mekhia Chase contributed 11. Megan Nestor also made an impact, grabbing 14 rebounds along with her 8 points.
As the season winds down, North Texas has three more conference games. They return home for back-to-back matches at the Super Pit, starting with UTSA on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Insights:
Recent trends show the importance of free throws in college basketball, with teams that shoot over 75% from the line often having better win rates. In UNT’s case, hitting 94% of their free throws was crucial. According to NCAA statistics, teams that excel in free throw shooting have a significantly higher chance of winning close games.
Fans have taken to social media to celebrate this comeback, demonstrating a growing support for women’s basketball. Posts and hashtags about the game show excitement and pride in the team’s progress.
In historical context, this performance reflects a positive trend for women’s sports, where strong comebacks are becoming increasingly common. The NCAA has reported rising viewership for women’s basketball, signaling a promising future for the sport.
As UNT gears up for the rest of the season, their recent performance shows they have the skill and determination to compete at a high level. The next games will be pivotal in shaping their standings for the tournament.
