Coming off the troubling news of losing Kendrick Davis to a hand injury, the Mean Green were in need of a boost. After an impressive road victory at Rice, NT welcomed former Ryan Raider Brett McDade and Tulsa to Denton.

The Mean Green saw a great performance off the bench from Michael Sturns. Sturns poured in 21 points on 5-11 shooting while nabbing 3 steals from the Golden Hurricane. His spark off the bench helped North Texas to stay within striking distance for the duration of the game. Sturns was also solid at the stripe for most of the contest. He was 9-12 from the line on a night where just about any contact drew a whistle.

Ben Bell was thisclose to becoming the goat of the day. With the Mean Green up 3 points with 7 seconds remaining, Bell was fouled. Hitting one of two free throws one make it a two posession game and make a Tulsa comeback highly unlikely. Bell missed not one, but both free throws. The transfer point guard tried to recover on the defensive side of the ball, but committed a silly foul behind the arc on Brett McDade that resulted in 3 free throws for Tulsa with 3 seconds remaining. Yes, that is correct .........enough to tie the game.

Tulsa hit the first free throw as North Texas fans sat uncomfortably in the Super Pit. The Mean Green recieved a break, however, when McDade missed his second free throw. The third free throw was the climactic finish, as McDade missed (probably on purpose) and the ball bounced right to Tulsa sitting uncontested at the top of the key.

He missed.

This was really too many bullets dodged by North Texas. Much better shot selection and improved free throw percentages are a must if the Mean Green plan on taking their game to the next level. Shooting 0.395 from the field and 0.292 three-pointers simply won't cut it.

Texas State - San Marcos comes to Denton this Saturday.

Everyone knows the book on Sturns going into this year...

Most athletic guy on team, quick hands, lean and strong body, quick leaper, and so on. However, he continually played a little on the out of control side and looked more like an athlete than a basketball p_layer_. His shooting form was also not what you show to an aspiring Lil Dribbler.

Here is my question about the 06-07 version of Sturns: How are his basketball specific skills? His ball handling, and most importantly shooting. He had 21 points, but missed over half his field goal attempts. Were they good shot selections? How was his form?

This was a huge win. Two win back to back CUSA games without our best p_layer_ is big for the development of the team and their confidence. November success is great, but what counts is success in February and March.