BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — In a gritty, defensive struggle that defied pregame expectations, the North Texas Mean Green authored a critical road victory, edging the UAB Blazers 62-58 in an American Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Sunday at Bartow Arena.

The game, witnessed by 3,537 fans, was a stark contrast to the high-scoring affair projected by oddsmakers. Instead of an offensive showcase, it became a tense, possession-by-possession battle where neither team could establish sustained rhythm. The victory avenged a four-point home loss to UAB just a month prior and provided a significant boost to North Texas’s postseason resume, improving its record to 17-13 overall. UAB fell to 18-11.

The contest’s defining characteristic was a suffocating defensive effort from North Texas, particularly in the second half, which overcame a sluggish offensive start. The Mean Green managed only 21 points before halftime, trailing 28-21 at the break. UAB, led by Chance Westry’s first-half activity, seemed in control, building its lead to as many as nine points.

The second half, however, belonged to North Texas guard David Terrell and a collective tightening of the screws on defense. Terrell, a 6-foot-4 guard from Dallas, spearheaded the comeback, scoring the majority of his team-high 17 points after intermission. His driving layups and timely free throws kept the Mean Green within striking distance as they methodically chipped away at the deficit.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute, with North Texas clinging to a 59-58 lead. After a UAB turnover forced by North Texas’s Buddy Hammer, the Mean Green worked the clock. With the shot winding down, Terrell drove and kicked the ball out to a waiting Cole Franklin on the right wing. The 6-foot-4 guard from Desoto, Texas, drained a crucial 3-pointer with just 20 seconds remaining, pushing the lead to 62-58 and effectively sealing the outcome.

UAB had two final chances to answer, but a blocked layup by Hammer on Westry and a missed jump shot by Salim London in the closing seconds preserved the North Texas win. The Blazers were held to just 30 points in the second half, a testament to the Mean Green’s adjusted defensive intensity.

Terrell’s 17 points, three assists and multiple key defensive rebounds were paramount for North Texas. He received vital support from Reece Robinson, a 6-foot-8 forward from Cleveland, Ohio, who added 12 points and a key block, and Franklin, whose nine points included the game-clinching three. Hammer, despite scoring only four points, was a defensive force with a steal and a critical late block.

For UAB, Westry, a 6-foot-6 guard from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, matched Terrell with 17 points and four assists, but was hampered by several late turnovers. Guard Dayjaun Anderson provided a scoring spark off the bench with 14 points, all from the field, including four 3-pointers. The Blazers’ interior defense was anchored by Daniel Rivera of San Juan, Puerto Rico, who contributed seven points and three blocks, but the team’s offensive execution faltered down the stretch.

The game was a significant departure from statistical projections. UAB entered as a 4.5-point favorite with an implied probability of victory over 75%, and the total points scored fell a staggering 21 points below the over/under line of 141. This underscored the defensive nature of the contest, where every basket was earned against persistent pressure.

For North Texas, the win snapped a two-game skid in the series and provided momentum heading into their regular season finale. UAB, meanwhile, was left to ponder a missed opportunity to solidify its standing before hitting the road for its final conference game.

The victory was a hallmark of resilience for the Mean Green, who weathered a poor shooting first half, stayed connected defensively, and made the winning plays in the final minutes on an opponent’s home floor.