Former Christian Life star Josh White Score 35 in OT Win

Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 11/18/2009

Mean Green Wins Double Overtime Thriller Over UTA 101-99

Box Score

The former Christian Life star and current North Texas star Josh White scored 35 and seemed to be back to 100% after playing all of last season with a nagging wrist injury. While at Christian Life, White played for current Baton Rouge C.C. coach Todd Foster and led the Crusaders to Back-To-Back state titles.

ARLINGTON, Texas - It took two overtimes but North Texas finally ended the hex of UT Arlington. In dramatic fashion Josh White poured in a career-high 35 points and North Texas (2-0) knocked off UTA (1-1) 101-99 in double overtime from Texas Hall. The win by North Texas ended a five-game winning streak for UTA over the Mean Green.


"A lot of guys really stepped up for us on the defensive end on the floor for us when we needed it down the stretch," said coach Johnny Jones. "We are lucky to have No. 10 (White) on our side and he made so many great plays for us tonight. People were able to see the type of player that he is, and we are fortunate that he is back at 100 percent and he is just a warrior."

White led the way for North Texas as the game featured 19 lead changes. With North Texas leading 101-99 with 3.5 second left, UTA had one final chance to tie the game, but Brandon Long's jumper rattled out. The game went to overtime after a furious rally by North Texas in regulation.

Trailing 76-69 with 4:57 left, North Texas went on a 10-1 run over the next two minutes to take a 79-77 lead with 2:13 left in the game. The Mavericks retook the lead at 80-79 with 1:38 on a Marquez Haynes layup. White responded with a basket and North Texas went back up 81-80 with a minute left. The two teams traded free throws and UTA had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation but Haynes missed a jumper at the buzzer.

In the first overtime the two teams traded free throws and buckets. With less than a minute left in the first overtime, North Texas had a 94-93 lead with 28 seconds left after two free throws by White. Long had another chance to win the game for UTA at the free throw line with 3.3 seconds left, but made just one out of two and the game went to a double overtime where the Mean Green were able to outlast the Mavs.

True freshman Jacob Holman had a big night with 14 points and George Odufuwa recorded a double-double with 18-points and 11 rebounds. North Texas made 57 trips to the free throw line, which is the second most in school history.

North Texas is back in action on Saturday afternoon as they face Oklahoma State in Stillwater at 12:30 p.m