In a Saturday evening matchup on January 3rd, the University of North Texas women’s basketball team suffered a 77-61 defeat against South Florida at the Yuengling Center, despite another standout performance from international athlete Megan Nestor. The loss brings the Mean Green’s season record to an even 7-7.
The game was defined by South Florida’s dominant start, as they established a commanding 22-10 lead in the opening quarter by shooting an impressive 54 percent from the field. This early deficit proved insurmountable for North Texas, though they mounted significant challenges throughout the contest. The Mean Green staged impressive runs in both the second and third quarters, narrowing the gap to just five points at one stage. Their resilience continued into the final period where they closed to within 65-61, but South Florida’s decisive 6-0 run ultimately secured their victory.
Offensive highlights for North Texas included Aysia Proctor’s team-leading 18 points, with seven of those coming during the crucial first nine points of the fourth quarter. However, the night belonged to Saint Lucian native Megan Nestor, who delivered her sixth double-double performance of the season. The 6-foot-4 center from the coastal community of Canaries contributed 14 points, converting 5 of 13 field goal attempts and 4 of 6 free throws.
Nestor’s impact extended beyond scoring as she dominated the boards with a game-high 10 rebounds while also recording a team-best two blocks and one steal. Her 33 minutes on court represented a career-high utilization, reflecting her growing importance to the team’s strategy. Nestor’s season averages now stand at 12.4 points and 11.4 rebounds per game, with the latter statistic leading the American Conference.
The Mean Green now return home to prepare for their next conference matchup against East Carolina on Tuesday before embarking on their subsequent road schedule.