DENTON, Texas — In a thrilling matchup on Friday night, Brenen Lorient emerged as a key player off the bench, scoring 17 points and guiding North Texas to a 68-64 victory over Appalachian State.

Along with his scoring prowess, Lorient contributed five rebounds and three blocks, showcasing his versatility for the Mean Green, who improved their record to 8-3. Atin Wright was also instrumental, netting 13 points with an impressive shooting percentage of 5 for 8, including one 3-pointer. Rondel Walker chipped in eight points, going 3 for 5 from the field and 1 for 3 from beyond the arc, while also pulling down seven rebounds.

For the Mountaineers, Myles Tate led the charge with a stellar performance, finishing the game with 21 points, five assists, and five steals. CJ Huntley was another bright spot for Appalachian State, scoring 17 points, while Jalil Beaubrun added 10 points to the team’s effort. Despite their solid performances, Appalachian State fell to a record of 6-6.

North Texas held a narrow lead at halftime, ahead 33-28, thanks in part to Moulaye Sissoko, who contributed seven points during the first half. The Mean Green pulled away decisively in the second half, transforming a six-point lead into a commanding 15-point advantage fueled by a 9-0 scoring run, which pushed the score to 48-33 with 13:12 remaining in the game. Lorient’s scoring prowess shone in the second half, where he tallied 12 points to help secure the victory.

Next on the schedule for North Texas is a home game against Houston Christian on Sunday, while Appalachian State will be hosting Troy on Thursday, looking to bounce back from this narrow defeat.