“I just got to be better.” - Je’Shawn Stevenson
The North Texas men’s basketball team had an opportunity to make another early-season statement Wednesday night, but ultimately came up just short.
After defeating 2026 NCAA Tournament participant McNeese last week, the Mean Green looked to secure their second consecutive victory over a tournament team. However, Santa Clara rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to hand North Texas a 76-71 loss at the Super Pit.
UNT showed flashes of what it could accomplish this season but a late-game collapse set them back. Here are five takeaways from Wednesday’s game.
1. UNT falls just short of another statement victory
The Mean Green had an opportunity to secure their second consecutive victory over a 2026 NCAA Tournament team. In the end, the Mean Green just couldn’t hold on in the end.
The loss prevented UNT from adding another marquee victory to its early-season résumé, but the performance showed the Mean Green can compete with quality nonconference opponents.
“I think we did a great job in the McNeese game, and we had our moments in this game,” Je’Shawn Stevenson said. “It’s going to take a little bit more to put a complete 40 minutes together to beat a good team.”
While it’s still early in the season, the Mean Green have shown they could be a team to watch in the American Conference.
2. Ousmane Ndour continues to establish himself offensively
Ndour led the Mean Green with 18 points, shooting an impressive 6-of-7 from the field and 6-of-9 from the free-throw line.
His efficiency around the basket helped UNT establish a presence inside, particularly as the Mean Green finished with a 42-34 advantage in points in the paint.
Head coach Daniyal Robinson recognized Ndour’s contributions, calling him a bright spot in the team’s performance.
3. Santa Clara’s bench and shooting make the difference
One of the biggest differences between the two teams was Santa Clara’s offensive production, particularly from its bench.
The Broncos’ reserves outscored North Texas’ bench 33-8, providing a significant advantage throughout the game. Santa Clara also shot 27.6% from beyond the arc, compared to UNT’s 16.7% from 3-point range.
“What showed up for them was their depth,” Robinson said. “They had really good depth.”
Despite the Mean Green’s advantage in points in the paint (42-34), Santa Clara’s depth and ability to knock down timely shots helped the Broncos overcome a seven-point halftime deficit and secure the 76-71 victory.
4. Second-half execution costs the Mean Green
North Texas entered halftime with a 41-34 advantage but struggled to maintain its momentum after the break.
The Mean Green shot just 43.5% from the field in the second half and went 0-of-8 from 3-point range. UNT also committed a number of turnovers in the second half.
“We had 10 turnovers in the second half,” Robinson said. “That’s the difference in the game.”
The game was tied 66-66 with just over four minutes remaining. Stevenson briefly put UNT ahead 68-67 with two free throws, but Santa Clara responded with a 5-0 scoring run to take control.
North Texas had opportunities to get back into the game late, but turnovers and missed opportunities ultimately prevented a comeback.
5. Je’Shawn Stevenson struggles to find his rhythm
After a career-high 30-point performance against McNeese last week, Stevenson had a much quieter night against Santa Clara.
The preseason American Conference Player of the Year finished with 14 points on 4-of-10 shooting, including 2-of-7 from beyond the arc. He also committed six turnovers, the most of any North Texas player.
“As an older guard, I’ll take full responsibility,” Stevenson said. “I just got to be better.”
Stevenson had opportunities to make an impact late in the game, but turnovers and missed shots prevented him from taking control offensively when the Mean Green needed him most.
While one difficult performance doesn’t take away from what Stevenson brings to the team, his ability to bounce back will be something to watch as North Texas continues its nonconference schedule.