MOBILE, Ala. (Interstat) — In a game defined by grinding defense and agonizing offensive inefficiency, the North Texas Mean Green escaped the Mitchell Center with a 58-57 victory over the South Alabama Jaguars on Sunday in a non-conference men’s basketball clash that saw both teams struggle to find any offensive rhythm.

The contest, played before a crowd of 1,804, was a stark contrast in styles and execution. North Texas prevailed by leaning on its trademark defensive physicality and rebounding, overcoming a woeful shooting performance by generating extra possessions and making just enough plays in the final minute.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the closing seconds. Trailing 57-55 after South Alabama’s Jayden Cooper converted a layup with 55 seconds remaining, North Texas worked the ball to its leading scorer, Je’Shawn Stevenson. The Chicago native was fouled on a three-point attempt with 32 seconds left. Stevenson calmly sank two of three free throws to tie the game.

On the ensuing possession, South Alabama’s Chaze Harris, who led all scorers with 20 points, drove to the basket looking to regain the lead. His layup attempt was emphatically blocked by North Texas’s Cole Franklin with 15 seconds remaining. After a scramble, the Jaguars retained possession and called a timeout.

Out of the stoppage, South Alabama again went to Harris, but his second attempt in the key was off the mark. North Texas’s Dylan Arnett secured the defensive rebound with just over a second left and was fouled. After a missed free throw, a desperation heave by South Alabama’s Hantz Louis Jeune was off target as time expired, sealing the narrow win for the Mean Green.

The final defensive stand capped a game where points were at a premium. North Texas shot a frigid 33.9% from the field and an even colder 22.5% from three-point range, connecting on just 9 of 40 attempts from beyond the arc. South Alabama was more efficient from the floor at 40.8% but was hampered by its own perimeter struggles, making only 2 of 11 three-pointers, and by committing 10 turnovers against a active Mean Green defense.

The difference came on the glass and at the free-throw line. North Texas dominated the offensive boards, grabbing 10 rebounds to South Alabama’s 4, leading to a 13-4 advantage in second-chance points. The Mean Green also made 11 of 16 free throws, while the Jaguars left points on the table, converting only 15 of 22.

Stevenson led North Texas with 22 points, including three three-pointers, despite a 7-for-21 shooting day. David Terrell added 8 points and a game-high 6 assists. The Mean Green’s interior defense was formidable, recording 6 blocks, led by Franklin and Arnett with two apiece.

For South Alabama, Harris shouldered the offensive load, adding three assists to his 20 points. Cooper provided a crucial spark with 12 points, all coming inside the arc, and added a block. Adam Olsen played a game-high 39 minutes, contributing 8 points and 9 rebounds.

North Texas led 30-26 at halftime, but South Alabama mounted a second-half charge, outscoring the Mean Green 31-28 after the break. The Jaguars took their first lead early in the second half and the teams traded baskets and stops in a tense final 20 minutes that featured six lead changes and four ties.

With the win, North Texas improves to 8-3 on the season, bouncing back from a loss to Texas Christian a week prior. South Alabama also moves to 8-3, suffering a second consecutive defeat after falling at East Tennessee State.

The game’s pace was methodical, with both teams using 65 possessions. North Texas posted an offensive rating of 89.8 points per 100 possessions, while South Alabama managed 87.1, numbers well below typical Division I efficiency.

North Texas now travels to face Santa Clara on Wednesday in Santa Cruz, California. South Alabama hits the road for its next contest, a Wednesday matchup at Louisiana-Monroe.