James leads Louisiana-Monroe past N. Texas 81-68

DENTON, Texas (AP) — Jayon James had 19 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and Louisiana-Monroe closed the game on a 21-7 run to defeat North Texas 81-68 Saturday night.

Amos Olatayo added 17 points and Marcelis Hansberry had 13 for the Warhawks (3-8, 2-3 Sun Belt), who shot 68 percent from the field in the second half.

North Texas (6-10, 1-4) got 16 points apiece from Jordan Williams and Justin Patton, and 15 from Tony Mitchell.

Neither team led by more than three points in the second half until Louisiana-Monroe scored eight straight points to take a 68-61 lead with 2:43 remaining.

The Mean Green did not hit a field goal in the final 5 minutes except for P.J. Hardwick’s two baskets in the final 30 seconds of the game.

The Warhawks outrebounded the Mean Green 30-19 and hit 8 of 16 3-point attempts.