North Texas Beats USD in Overtime

Andrien Choplick, a 6-foot 9-inch backup center for the University of North Texas, hit a 10-foot bank shot with 2 seconds remaining in overtime Wednesday to give the Eagles a 79-77 lead over the University of San Diego.

As the shot went through, USD called timeout but had none remaining. A technical foul was called on the USD bench, and Choplick hit both free throws to make the final score 81-77.

The loss was USD’s third in a row after two on the road last week. The Toreros fell to 4-5 and under .500 for the first time this season. North Texas (3-5) won for the first time since Dec. 8 after losing three in a row.

USD trailed for most of the game and was behind, 70-67, with 1 minute 31 seconds left in regulation. But USD’s Craig Cottrell (8 points) sent the game into overtime with a turnaround 6-foot jump shot and ensuing free throw. North Texas called three timeouts in the final 38 seconds but came away empty when Deon Hunter’s 10-footer went off the glass and rim at the buzzer.

In overtime, Kelvin Means hit a 17-foot jumper to give the Toreros the early lead, but a Wendell Williams layup and Ricky Robertson free throw gave the Eagles the lead, 73-72.

An exchange of field goals and free throws during the next 3 1/2 minutes left North Texas in front, 77-75. USD’s Gylan Dottin then made 1 of 2 free throws and Kelvin Means hit the front end of a 1-and-1 to tie the game.

Means’ second free throw was rebounded by North Texas, which kicked the ball upcourt and made two passes before Choplick sank the game-winner.

For a team with a 3-game losing streak and shooting just 37% coming in, the North Texas started hot.

The Eagles controlled the opening tip and most of the first half, scoring the first 7 points on a 3-pointer by Robertson and jump shots by Hunter and Williams.

Hunter scored 19 of game-high 25 points in the first half, and Robertson had 12 of his 18, as North Texas opened a 45-39 halftime lead. It was the most points USD had allowed in the first half this season.

But the second half belonged mostly to USD, whose defense held the Eagles to 25 points, the lowest against the Toreros this season.

Danny Means led USD’s scoring with 9 points in each half and 1 in overtime for 19. Dondi Bell had 18 points and 8 rebounds, and Gylan Dottin scored 14.

Both teams had 9 fouls in the first half, North Texas made 5 of its 6 free throws, and USD converted just 8 of 14 (57%). For the game, North Texas made 16 of 21 (76%) and USD 19 of 30 (63%).

Play in the game was physical, and USD Coach Hank Egan seemed upset about the officiating afterward but said, “I can’t comment on those things.”

North Texas Coach Jimmy Gales went further, going on about the subject for several minutes before even mentioning the victory.

“I’ve never seen that kind of officiating,” he said. “It was bad both ways. They need to scrutinize these people.”