Woolridge paces North Texas to 103-87 win in C-USA opener
HOUSTON -- Ryan Woolridge scored 24 points, leading four into double figures and North Texas walloped Rice 103-87 on Saturday to open Conference USA play in emphatic fashion.
Woolridge made 10 of 16 shots, grabbed 12 rebounds and had six assists for Mean Green (13-1, 1-0). Zachary Simmons scored 11 of his 22 points in the first 99 seconds of the second half -- opening with a dunk, a pair of jumpers and a 3-point play. The eruption continued a rally that saw North Texas come from 11 points down in the first half to lead by five, 48-43, at the break.
Roosevelt Smart scored 20 and Umoja Gibson 17 for Mean Green, which has won five straight since losing to Oklahoma a month ago.
Robert Martin went off for a career-high 35 points for Rice (5-9, 0-1). Martin, who had never broken 30 points, made 9 of 11 shots, was 5 of 5 from 3-point distance and 12 of 12 at the foul line. He added four rebounds and four assists against one turnover.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Keith Kimble
- Brent Dugas
- Tommy Short
2023-24 American Athletic Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
South Florida | 16-2 | - | 25-8 |
Florida Atlantic | 14-4 | 2 | 25-9 |
Charlotte | 13-5 | 3 | 19-12 |
UAB | 12-6 | 4 | 23-12 |
Memphis | 11-7 | 5 | 22-10 |
SMU | 11-7 | 5 | 20-13 |
North Texas | 10-8 | 6 | 19-15 |
Tulsa | 7-11 | 9 | 16-15 |
East Carolina | 7-11 | 9 | 15-18 |
Tulane | 5-13 | 11 | 14-17 |
Temple | 5-13 | 11 | 16-20 |
Wichita State | 5-13 | 11 | 15-19 |
UTSA | 5-13 | 11 | 11-21 |
Rice | 5-13 | 11 | 11-21 |