The University of North Texas women's basketball team suffered an 84-72 loss to Santa Clara in their nonconference finale on Sunday afternoon at The Super Pit in Denton, Texas. Despite a strong second-half comeback led by Jazzy Owens-Barnett, the Mean Green could not overcome a 24-point halftime deficit. Santa Clara pulled away late with a crucial 7-0 run.
The game began poorly for North Texas, which managed only 20 points on 22% shooting in the first half, trailing 44-20 at the break—the largest halftime deficit of the season for the Mean Green. Santa Clara capitalized on their perimeter shooting, sinking 12 three-pointers as a team and getting scoring from four players with 15 or more points. Kylee Fox led all scorers with 23 points, including four three-pointers.
North Texas (6-6, 0-0 American Athletic) mounted a impressive rally in the second half, outscoring Santa Clara (10-3, 0-0 West Coast) 52-40. Senior point guard Jazzy Owens-Barnett sparked the surge with 11 points in the third quarter and finished with 13 points overall. Tionna Lidge also reached double figures for the first time since November 7 against Grambling State, contributing 11 points.
The Mean Green cut the lead to five points in the fourth quarter, but Santa Clara responded with a 7-0 run capped by a Fox three-pointer, securing the victory. This loss ends North Texas's nonconference schedule, with their next game set for December 30 at Florida Atlantic to open American Athletic Conference play.