Denton, Tex. (Nov. 19, 2014) --- North Texas used a late second half run to shake off pesky Delaware State 62-55 in the first-ever meeting between the teams at the Super Pit this evening. The loss was the first of the season for the Hornets (2-1), while the Mean Green improved to 3-0.
The defeat also overshadowed the performance by Delaware State center Kendall Gray, who tallied 12 points and tied his career-high with 13 rebounds to record his second straight double-double and 14th in his career. Gray also blocked four shots to tie the DSU career record of 222, sharing the mark with Marques Oliver (2009-13). The contest marked the 27th time that Gray has blocked at least four in a game in his career.
DeAndre Haywood led the Hornets in scoring for the third straight game, collecting 18 points, highlighted by four-of-five shooting from three-point territory. Haywood has 59 points in the first three games to lead DSU with a 19.7 point per-game average.
Tyshawn Bell also hit four-of-five three-pointers en route to a 16-point performance.
Kendall Williams was the only other Hornet to score, coming off the bench to contribute nine points.
The score was 27-27 at the half.
Delaware State hit its first two shots in the second half, and opened up a 31-29 lead on a short jumper by Gray with 19:21 left to play.
North Texas answered with an 8-1 run, and opened up a 37-32 lead on a three-pointer by Todd Eaglin with 16:55 remaining in the game.
The Hornets pulled to within 47-46 on Bell's fourth three-pointer of the game with 9:43 left.
The Mean Green took advantage of Delaware State turnovers on three consecutive possessions to open up a 54-47 lead.
The Hornets committed a season-high 18 turnovers, including 11 in the second half.
North Texas State opened up the biggest lead of the game, 62-53, on a free throw by Colin Voss with 35 seconds left to play.
Delaware State started quickly, opening up a 9-3 lead on two three-point shots by Haywood and one by Bell.
North Texas responded with a 12-0 run, and pulled ahead 15-9 on a three-ball by Jordan Williams with 13:31 left in the first half. Williams led the Mean Green with 17 points.
The Hornets ran off nine straight points later in the half, five by Gray and four from Williams, to take a 27-21 lead.
Delaware State was 21-for-52 from the field (41.2%), including eight-of-21 from beyond the arc (38.1%).
North Texas hit 22 of its 54 shots from the field (40.7%), including six from three-point range (6-21; 28.6%).
The Mean Green won the rebound battle, 36-32. North Texas was averaging 50 rebounds per game entering the contest.
The Hornets will return to action on Friday (Nov. 21) at the University Arkansas. Game time is 8:30 p.m. (ET) at the Bud Walton Center in Fayetteville, Ark. The game will be televised live on the SEC (Southeastern Conference) Network.
