North Texas Defeats Temple in Crucial AAC Matchup, Moves to Top of Conference

In a high-stakes American Athletic Conference showdown on Wednesday, January 22, the North Texas Mean Green extended their impressive run, earning a crucial 9-point victory over the Temple Owls. The win pushed UNT to the top of the AAC standings, sitting at 5-1 in conference play, while Temple dropped to 4-2, moving to fourth place in the league.

North Texas showcased their depth and defensive prowess throughout the game, with the bench providing a significant boost. UNT’s reserves outscored Temple’s bench 38-21, with junior forward Brenien Lorient leading the charge with an impressive 20 points. Lorient’s performance off the bench was a key factor in the win, as North Texas overcame a less-than-ideal shooting night from beyond the arc, making only 3 of 12 three-pointers. Despite the shooting struggles from long range, UNT’s efficiency elsewhere proved too much for Temple to handle, as they shot nearly 50% from the field and only missed one free throw on the night.

Temple, on the other hand, struggled with their shooting throughout the game. The Owls were held to just 35% shooting from the floor, unable to find a consistent offensive rhythm. While they managed to keep the game close for much of the first half, their inability to hit shots and match UNT’s defensive intensity ultimately proved costly.

A key element of UNT’s victory was their suffocating defense. The Mean Green more than doubled Temple’s blocks, finishing with 8 to the Owls’ 4. Even more impressive was UNT’s ability to play disciplined defense, committing 9 fewer personal fouls than Temple, a stat that kept them in control of the game and allowed them to maintain offensive flow without getting into foul trouble. With UNT's inability to miss on free throws on Wednesday, it was absolutely detrimental to their chances of pulling ahead.

With both teams entering the game with identical 4-1 conference records, this matchup had significant implications for the standings, and North Texas capitalized on the opportunity to take control of the AAC. The win not only boosts UNT’s position atop the conference but also extends their current four-game win streak, which has included impressive victories over some of the top teams in the conference.

Looking ahead, North Texas will look to keep the momentum going as they face a weaker Florida Atlantic team on Sunday, January 26. FAU enters the game with a 3-3 conference record, and while UNT cannot afford to overlook them, the Mean Green will likely feel more confident in facing a team that hasn’t been as strong in conference play. The win over Temple has certainly put UNT in a comfortable position, but they know that every game is crucial in a competitive AAC, and they will need to stay focused as they aim to extend their streak and maintain their spot at the top.

For Temple, the loss serves as a tough setback, especially after such a strong start to conference play. They’ll need to regroup and bounce back quickly as they look to stay in the hunt for a top spot in the AAC standings.