Lawson scores 18, North Texas holds off FAU, 59-53
DENTON, Texas -- A.J. Lawson and Zachary Simmons combined to score 22 of their 28 points in the second half and North Texas held on for a 59-53 win over Florida Atlantic on Thursday night.
Lawson had 18 points, 14 after halftime, and Simmons finished with 10 points and a career-high tying eight rebounds. Ryan Woolridge added 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists for North Texas (11-10, 4-4 Conference USA).
FAU's Anthony Adger hit back-to-back jumpers to make it 43-all with seven minutes to play, but Simmons threw down a dunk, Lawson added a layup and a 3-pointer, and the Mean Green led by five about two minutes later. Ronald Delph's layup pulled the Owls within two with 2 1/2 minutes left, but Roosevelt Smart made 4 of 4 free throws-his only points in the game-and Simmons added a dunk as UNT scored six of the last eight points.
Delph had 21 points and 10 rebounds, his second consecutive double-double, and Adger scored 14 for FAU (9-11, 3-5). The Owls missed six of their final seven field-goal attempts and shot just nine percent (1 of 11) from 3-point range.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Mike Stuart
- Michael Greenstein
- Tony Padilla
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 |