DENTON -- North Texas went into the final 10 minutes down by just three points, but the No. 25 Rice Owls (23-3, 14-0 C-USA) hit five of their last seven field goals to pull away in a 59-47 victory over UNT.
The Mean Green could not contain 6'9 center Nancy Mulkey, who scored 24 points while shooting 10 of 15 from the floor. Mulkey also came into the game as the nation's leader in shots blocked, and she proved why on Saturday afternoon by swatting away three crucial shots in the fourth quarter.
In what was a defensive first half with 45 points between the two teams, Rice erupted for 38 in the second half. North Texas mainly struggled on offense because Mulkey's presence in the paint disrupted Anisha George's offense down low. George came into the game averaging 11 points but finished with just six on the night.
UNT shot 38 percent from the floor and an above average 33 percent from the 3-point line.
Terriell Bradley cut the Rice lead to two points midway through the final quarter with a free throw, but the Owls finished the game on a 17-7 run to close out the Mean Green.
North Texas wraps up their four-game home stand next Saturday against Western Kentucky at 5 p.m.
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