North Texas was down in Miami, Florida to take on Sun Belt Conference member Florida International University. Both teams knew this was time to step it up going into the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. A win would help put either team in a better position in tournament rankings.

Both teams mainly played the 2-3 defense which made the game go slow and resulted in a slugfest. With about eight minutes left North Texas was up by one point. At this point Brandan Walton went on a three point shooting spree scoring 13 points in a row to break open the game. However, with under one minute left in the game, North Texas started to play sloppy allowing FIU to climb back into the game closing to a two possession game. It was A. Williams arising to the occasion sinking a free throw to put the game out of reach resulting in North Texas taking a 68-61 road win.

FIU took the early lead going up 3-0 before Walton got North Texas their first basket. Tony Mitchell hit one free throw and Walton hit a three but North Texas was down 11-6 before the first timeout.

Mitchell hit for two followed by A. Williams adding two more but North Texas was down 10-13 at the 10:38 timeout.

A. Williams blocked a three point shot which resulted in Niko Stojiljkovic getting a layup at the other end of the court. Mitchell added to the North Texas point total by hitting one of two free throws. Tyler Hall gave North Texas their first lead of the game, 16-15, when he hit a three point shot. FIU retook the lead followed by Hall missing a three but Mitchell was there for the put back giving the lead back to North Texas. Mitchell followed up with a windmill slammed dunk to give North Texas a three point lead 20-17 at the 3:56 mark.

FIU closed to within one but Mitchell pushed the lead to 22-19. With 2 minutes a timeout was called with North Texas up 22-21.

FIU took the lead but A. Williams gave North Texas back the lead. A. Williams extended the lead when he hit the second of two free throws. With 34 seconds left in the half, North Texas Head Coach Johnny Jones called a timeout with his team up 25-23 and having possession of the ball.

With four seconds left, Mitchell did not get the shot off giving the ball to FIU. On the inbound pass FIU threw the ball to Walton who was fouled on an intentional foul. He made the second free throw for the halftime score 26-23.

Mitchell opened the second half on a layup giving North Texas a five point lead. Both teams went back and forth with baskets and with 14:52 left in the game a timeout was called with North Texas up 36-33.

A. Williams hit two free throws to give North Texas a five point lead. Franklin hit two free throws giving North Texas a seven point lead its largest of the game at that point. FIU closed to within one before Stojiljkovic got an offensive rebound and two points. Mitchell was fouled at the 11:07 timeout with North Texas up 42-39.

Mitchell converted the second of two free throws giving North Texas a four point lead. Both teams traded baskets before FIU closed to within one. Walton pushed the lead to four with a three point shot and with 7:01 left North Texas was up 50-46.

Walton added to the North Texas lead hitting another three point shot. He then hit another three and followed it up with a layup giving North Texas a 58-46 at the timeout.

Walton was about to add to his eleven point run and was fouled. After hitting the free throws he scored the last 13 North Texas points in a row. A. Williams ended Walton's run when he hit both of his free throws.

After a timeout Forrest Robinson came in from the bench and hit for two. Walton hit one of two free throws giving North Texas a comfortable lead. However, North Texas started to play sloppy ball by turning the ball over and falling to the FIU pressure resulting in losing a 64-50 lead with 1:33 left in the game. After hitting two baskets in a row and following them with a three, FIU called a timeout with 27 seconds left and the score 65-59.

North Texas passing the ball back and forth ran the clock down before FIU was able to foul A. Williams with 18 seconds left. He hit the second free throw which put the game out of reach. With 14 seconds left, Walton got a steal and pass to Williams for a layup. FIU scored the last basket as time expired for the final score North Texas 68 FIU 61. North Texas improves to 14-10, 7-4 while FIU falls to 7-16, 4-7.

North Texas travels north of Miami to Boca Raton to take on Florida Atlantic for another Sun Belt Conference game this Saturday with local tip-off at 6 PM.