The North Texas women's basketball season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. After starting out 2-4 with losses to No. 12 Texas and Kansas State, the Mean Green rebounded to win eight of their next nine games to start Conference USA play with a 3-0 record.
However, North Texas won last Saturday's game against Charlotte to snap a five-game losing streak. The Mean Green (11-10, 4-5 in C-USA) are looking to use Saturday's win to jumpstart another winning streak to finish off conference play.
This week, North Texas will play two road games against Marshall and Western Kentucky. Both teams are ranked in the top 5 of C-USA, so the Mean Green will have their hands full while trying to climb their way back into C-USA title contention.
Marshall (13-9, 7-2 in C-USA)
HUNTINGTON, W.V. -- In Thursday's matchup against Marshall, North Texas will look to beat the Thundering Herd for the first time since 2016.
Recently, Marshall has been on fire, collecting eight wins in their last ten contests.
The Mean Green's defense has been one of their bright spots of the season and they need every bit of it when trying to slow down Marshall guard Shana Gore. Gore averages 19 points per game, which ranks third in C-USA and she scored 31 points in her last outing.
Right behind Gore in C-USA scoring average is North Texas senior Terriell Bradley. Bradley leads the Mean Green offense with 17.6 points per game.
North Texas center Anisha George has also found her footing during her junior season. George has finished with six double-doubles on the year and has posted double-doubles in each of the last two games.
If North Texas wants to make any sort of push to contend with some of the top teams in league play, Thursday night is a must win.
Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT and can be watched on BeIn Sports or listened live on KNTU 88.1 FM.
Western Kentucky (14-9, 8-1 in C-USA)
BOWLING GREEN, KY -- North Texas will travel south to take on the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky on just one day's rest.
Western Kentucky's only blemish in conference play came on Jan. 24 in a 69-56 loss to Southern Mississippi. The Hilltoppers have played three teams ranked in the top 10: No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 9 Oregon State and No. 4 Louisville. All three resulted in losses, although WKU played a competitive game against Oregon State in a 74-60 loss.
The Hilltoppers lead C-USA in scoring offense and average 76.5 points per game, but WKU still tends to find themselves in close games because they allow 72.7 points per game, which ranks third-to-last in C-USA.
North Texas ranks No. 11 in 3-point field goal percentage in C-USA, while WKU ranks No. 1. The Hilltoppers are ranked second-to-last in defensive 3-point field goal percentage, so if Grace Goodhart, Velma Mitchell and other Mean Green players can knock down clutch three-pointers, UNT should find themselves with a chance to win in the fourth quarter.
Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT and can be streamed live on C-USA TV or listened on KNTU 88.1 FM.
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