In a commanding display of postseason prowess, the University of North Texas women’s basketball squad delivered an emphatic 80-57 victory over ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic Owls during the American Conference Championship’s second round on March 11. The matchup at Birmingham’s Legacy Arena witnessed historic individual achievements alongside collective excellence.
Saint Lucian sensation Megan Nestor cemented her legacy by recording her 20th double-double of the season, becoming just the third Mean Green player in program history to reach this monumental milestone. The 6’4″ center from Canaries delivered a masterclass performance with 16 points on efficient 10-shot attempts and flawless 6-6 free throw shooting, complemented by 12 rebounds (4 offensive) in her Division I playoff debut.
Nestor’s dominance continues a remarkable season that saw her sweep multiple conference honors, including Defensive Player of the Year, All-Conference First Team, All-Newcomer Team, and All-Defensive Team selections. She stands as only the second UNT athlete ever to claim the conference’s top defensive award.
While Nestor controlled the paint, guard Aysia Proctor ignited the scoreboard with a game-high 24 points, matching her career best with five three-pointers and registering her sixth 20-point performance this season. The offensive barrage featured four Mean Green players reaching double figures, demonstrating the team’s balanced scoring threat.
The victory marked head coach Jason Burton’s 66th win at North Texas, tying Judy Nelson for third-most in school history. With their record now at 18-13 overall, the Mean Green advance to face fourth-seeded Tulsa in Thursday’s semifinal matchup, seeking redemption for their 57-53 January loss against the Golden Hurricane.