Beyond the Arc: McNeese State Game Recap

Tip-Off: A Tough Night in Lake Charles

Heading into the Legacy Center, I expected a challenging environment for UNT, but I didn’t anticipate just how tough the night would get. With 85% of the arena packed and rowdy, the Mean Green faced more than just the Will Wade-led Cowboys—they faced themselves. UNT’s early struggles and inability to close out late cost them a valuable opportunity to claim a gritty road win in what could end up being one of their toughest non-conference environments.

Fast Break Recap: What Went Down

• First Half Struggles:
  The first 10 minutes looked promising, with UNT keeping pace in a defensive slugfest. But things unraveled quickly as turnovers and bad shots fed McNeese’s transition game. The Cowboys tallied 15 fast break points and forced UNT into 10 turnovers—an eye-popping 28% of UNT’s first-half possessions ended in giveaways. Add to that McNeese’s aggression at the rim and on the boards, and UNT found themselves in a 13-point hole at halftime, with disastrous efficiency numbers:

  • Defensive Efficiency: 113

  • Offensive Efficiency: 67.1

• Second Half Surge:
  UNT came out of halftime with a vengeance, flipping the script with a 22-6 run that turned a 13-point deficit into a 7-point lead. The turnaround came from:

  • Defense: UNT forced seven turnovers and limited McNeese to just 14 shot attempts in the half.

  • Rebounding: The Mean Green owned the glass with a 91.7% defensive rebound rate.

  • Threes Falling: UNT finally found some rhythm from deep.

  For a moment, it looked like UNT had weathered the storm, but then the game shifted again.

• The Final 7 Minutes Collapse:
  Leading by 7 with just under 7 minutes to go, UNT couldn’t keep McNeese off the free-throw line. The Cowboys scored 16 of their final 23 points from the charity stripe, fueled by a whistle-happy officiating crew that UNT simply couldn’t adjust to. Combine that with offensive stagnation—bad shots, soft finishes at the rim (7/25 on layups for the night)—and the game slipped away in heartbreaking fashion.

In the Huddle: What We Learned

• Turnovers and Free Throws Are Kryptonite:
  UNT’s 15 total turnovers and McNeese’s 31 second-half free-throw attempts told the story. UNT couldn’t limit transition opportunities in the first half or keep the refs out of the game in the second.

• Offensive Identity Still in Question:
  Down the stretch, UNT’s offense looked confused and hesitant. The ball stuck on one side of the floor, movement lacked purpose, and there was no clear player to lean on in crunch time. UNT must figure out who “the guy” will be when it matters most.

• A Silver Lining in Adversity:
  This was a valuable early-season test. UNT battled back from adversity in a hostile environment, something few non-conference games provide. These reps could pay dividends when conference play heats up.

Player of the Game: Brenen Lorient

It’s tough to crown a standout, but Brenen Lorient delivered in key moments with 12 points, 3 boards, and 2 assists. His minutes were impactful, though he left points on the table with missed opportunities at the rim.

Stat to Ponder: 7/25 at the Rim

UNT converted just 28% of their shots at the rim—a brutal drop from their 62.1% mark over the previous three games. McNeese didn’t overwhelm with size, making this an area UNT must improve by finishing strong and embracing contact.

Scouting Report: What’s Next?

The Mean Green will have to regroup quickly. UNT heads into Feast Week after an easy game Thursday against Texas Wesleyan. Feast Week presents a golden opportunity for UNT to reclaim momentum and make a statement. The week kicks off with a home matchup against Oregon State, a chance to show resilience against top 100 Kenpom team. From there, UNT heads to the NIT Season Tip-Off, opening against Northern Iowa and potentially setting the stage for an epic showdown with Utah State if both teams win their first-round games.

Final Buzzer: No Panic, Just Progress

While the loss stings, it’s not the end of the world. UNT showed grit, but they need to clean up their offensive execution and defensive discipline. If they can channel the good stretches of this game while learning from the bad, they’ll be in a much better place when the stakes get higher.