Louisiana Tech upset by North Texas 76-69

FRISCO, Texas – Alexus Malone scored 27 points and Reauna Cleaver added 15 points, but North Texas built a 19-point third quarter lead and held off a furious Louisiana Tech rally, as the Mean Green defeated the Lady Techsters 76-69 Thursday afternoon at The Star in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Tournament.

Louisiana Tech (19-11) entered the event as the three seed and winners of three straight games in impression fashion, but it was North Texas (16-13) that came out of the gate strong.

The Mean Green shot over 50 percent from the field in the first half and outrebounded Louisiana Tech by double digits in building a 41-29 halftime lead.

North Texas then scored the first seven points in the third quarter to push its advantage to 48-29 with 7:58 to play in the stanza.

Louisiana Tech turned up the intensity midway through the third quarter.

Malone scored seven of the Lady Techsters points in a quarter-ending 19-7 run that saw Louisiana Tech cut the deficit to 57-50.

The deficit was four at 69-65 after Anna McLeod drilled a three-pointer when the Lady Techsters forced a turnover in the backcourt and appeared to have an uncontested layup that would have cut the lead to one possession with 48 seconds to play.

However, a 10-second backcourt violation was whistled against North Texas, negating Louisiana Tech’s opportunity for the wide open layup.

Louisiana Tech was unable to score after inbounding the ball on the possession, and North Texas hit seven of eight free throws in the final minute to seal the win.