North Texas rebounds with 122-50 win over Southwestern Christian

North Texas basketball players walked into the Super Pit on Monday evening with little to show for their preseason efforts. Just days earlier, the Mean Green had lost an exhibition game to Northwestern State. That defeat raised questions about the team's readiness for the second season under head coach Daniyal Robinson. On Monday, however, the team put those concerns aside. They defeated Southwestern Christian 122-50 in the conference opener.

The scoreline reflected a wide gap in skill between the two teams. UNT players scored 44 of their 77 field goal attempts. The Mean Green also made 24 of their 36 free throw attempts. In contrast, Southwestern Christian, an NAIA program, made 20 of 65 shots from the floor. The Eagles scored 50 points total. The final margin of 72 points suggests the result was a strong indicator of UNT's current offensive capability, even if the competition level was lower than regular conference play.

Junior guard Je’Shawn Stevenson set the tone early in the game. He hit a three-point shot 16 seconds after the tip-off. That quick start gave UNT a psychological edge. By the end of the first half, the Mean Green led 57-17. The team continued to play at a high tempo in the second half. They did not slow down despite the large lead. Robinson noted that the goal was to let multiple players get on the floor and play their preferred style of basketball regardless of the score on the board.

Freshman forward Aeneas Alexander led all scorers with 22 points. He also grabbed nine rebounds. His performance anchored the frontcourt as the team pushed the pace. Alexander’s scoring was part of a balanced attack. Six North Texas players finished with double-digit point totals. This distribution of scoring is a key part of Robinson’s system. It ensures that no single opponent can focus solely on shutting down one star player.

Another newcomer, Amar Amkou, contributed 16 points and nine rebounds. He nearly recorded a double-double. Amkou acknowledged the team's improvement since the last game. He said the group learned from previous mistakes and got better. The defense also played a major role in the blowout. The Mean Green recorded 16 steals. They converted those takeaways into 32 points. This defensive pressure forced Southwestern Christian into difficult shots and quick turnovers.

The win serves as a necessary reset for the squad. Robinson stated that he was pleased with the players' response to the exhibition loss. He emphasized the need to show up with intensity at home games. The team faces its next challenge on Thursday. They will play McNeese State, a team that recently beat UAB in a neutral site game. Stevenson described McNeese as a great test. The Mean Green enter that game with a 1-0 record in official competition and 2,673 fans having witnessed the Monday victory.

The box score showed depth across the roster. Players like Franklin, Zelee, and Chavis all added at least 11 points. The team controlled the boards, grabbing 61 rebounds compared to Southwestern Christian's 27. Assists were distributed well, with Stevenson leading the team with five. The performance suggests the team is finding its rhythm ahead of a busy schedule. The focus now shifts to preparing for a tougher opponent in McNeese.