Combs, Johnson lead North Texas past Nicholls State 78-60

DENTON, Texas (AP) Jeremy Combs scored 19 with eight rebounds and two blocked shots and Deckie Johnson added 17 points and three steals to help North Texas

DENTON, Texas (AP) Jeremy Combs scored 19 with eight rebounds and two blocked shots and Deckie Johnson added 17 points and three steals to help North Texas beat Nicholls State 78-60 Monday night.

J-Mychal Reese had 14 points and Eric Katenda 11 for North Texas (3-7).

The Mean Green used a 13-3 run to take a 15-6 lead with 14:25 left in the first half and an 11-3 spurt extended their lead to 19 points about 11 minutes later.

North Texas took a 41-22 lead into halftime and led by at least 14 throughout the second half.

T.J. Carpenter led Nicholls State (3-5) with 18 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. Ja'Dante' Frye and Luka Kamber scored 11 apiece.

North Texas outrebounded the Colonels 45-32, including 17-7 on the offensive glass, and made 22 of 30 free throws. Nicholls State made 9 of 12 from the stripe.