McGruder’s huge outing powers UNT past Florida Atlantic | Texas News

Kendall McGruder was caught past the 3-point arc with nowhere to go along with the ball on Saturday throughout North Texas’ recreation towards Florida Atlantic.

UNT’s sophomore guard seemed, waited for somebody to interrupt open and eventually had no alternative apart from to let a deep 3 fly. The shot hit nothing however the internet.

It was that form of day for McGruder and the Mean Green.

The former South Grand Prairie standout exploded for a profession excessive 29 factors and UNT snapped a two-game dropping streak with a commanding 75-59 win over the Owls on the Super Pit.

“This is what we are capable of,” UNT coach Jalie Mitchell mentioned. “We had people buy in on the defensive end, which was huge for us. We have had to ask people who are not used to playing defense or used to playing it at this level or having this level of responsibility to step up and buckle down. You saw that today.”

UNT (5-11, 2-4 Conference USA) held FAU to 21 factors within the second half in one in every of its finest halves defensively of the season. McGruder overshadowed what the Mean Green completed on that finish of the ground with by far the most effective efficiency of her profession.

The 5-foot-9 guard went 12 of 18 from the sphere and 4 of seven from 3-point vary. Her earlier excessive was 16 factors in UNT’s loss to Louisiana Tech on Wednesday.

“It’s 100% something that can get me going,” McGruder mentioned. “I was known as a shooter last year. I knew I was capable of more and worked on my floater and mid-range game. My goal is to be a complete player.”

McGruder confirmed her full recreation in UNT’s win over FAU (10-5, 3-3). She completed with 5 steals and three assists earlier than capping her efficiency along with her 3 late within the shot clock.

“Everyone thought the clock was going to reset,” McGruder mentioned. “I didn’t see it. It was 4, 3, 2. I just shot it. I was hoping it was going to go in. I knew it was my day when it did.”

McGruder’s efficiency was the important thing to an incredible offensive day general for UNT. The Mean Green shot 53.7% (29 of 54) from the sphere. Quincy Noble added 17 factors to present UNT two gamers who completed in double figures.

UNT wanted massive days from each after falling behind within the first half. FAU took management with a 6-0 run within the second quarter and led 38-29 at halftime.

The Mean Green turned the sport round within the third quarter, after they outscored FAU 21-8.

“We locked down,” Mitchell mentioned. “We wanted to get stops and showed that we wanted to get stops. That turned into easier offensive opportunities for us.”

Aniya Hubbard scored 14 factors to steer FAU however had simply 4 factors within the second half.

“At halftime, our mindset was that we shouldn’t be down,” McGruder mentioned. “We wanted to do the little things that helped us get back to tie the game and take the lead.”

UNT led 50-46 heading into the fourth quarter and put the sport away with an 8-2 run early within the remaining quarter. McGruder scored the primary 4 level within the run.

“We knew Kendall was capable of this,” Mitchell mentioned. “We recruited her for a while. She was a go-to player in high school and had her moments last year where she showed what she is capable of. She has gone well beyond that and is showing her complete game.”

UNT is hoping what McGruder confirmed towards FAU is a sign of what’s to come back for her and the Mean Green the remainder of the season.

“This was 100% one of our best games,” McGruder mentioned. “When we lock in defensively, we are a whole different team. The people we need more from defensively stepped up tonight.”

North Texas 75, Florida Atlantic 59

FLORIDA ATLANTIC (10-5, 3-3) – Galeron 3-10 0-0 8, Gaston 5-7 0-0 10, Hubbard 6-9 2-2 14, Moore 3-9 0-0 6, Zaph 2-5 2-2 8, Hanna 0-1 0-0 0, Maddox 4-13 0-0 9, Scott 1-3 0-0 2, Gillard 0-1 0-0 0, Vick 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 25-59 4-4 59.

NORTH TEXAS (5-11, 2-4) – Johnson 3-5 3-3 9, McGruder 12-18 1-2 29, Hardaway 0-1 2-4 2, Carter 1-2 4-4 6, Moore 3-6 0-2 6, Noble 8-17 1-1 17 Lampkin 2-3 2-4 6, Davis 0-0 0-0 0, Loudermill 0-2 0-0 0, Boles 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-54 13-30 75.

Three-point targets – FAU 5-17 (Galeron 2-8, Hubbard 0-1, Zaph 2-3, Maddox 1-4, Gillard 0-1) UNT 4-12 (McGruder 4-7, Noble 0-4, Loudermill 0-1) Fouled out – Gaston Rebounds – FAU 27 (Galeron 5) UNT 33 (Johnson, Lampkin 7) Assists – FAU 17 (Moore, Zaph 5) UNT 15 (Carter 5) Total fouls – FAU 21, UNT 15 A – 1,300.