North Texas Routs Newman in Season Opener
Cherie Spencer scores a career-high 22 points as the Mean Green open the season with a 101-48 win over Newman.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
North Texas defeated Newman 101-48 on Monday night at the Super Pit to open its season. Cherie Spencer led the way with a career-high 22 points, while KaMyra Barber added 19 and Kalysta Martin scored 15.
Why it matters
The lopsided opener gives North Texas an early statement win as it prepares for a schedule that includes road games against San Diego State and a matchup with Duke. Strong early production from its freshman and returning players offers a first look at the team's depth.
Spencer scored 22 points, well above her previous career high of 16 and her freshman average of 5.3 points per game, and she added six rebounds and seven free throw attempts. North Texas led 43-20 at halftime, with the team's early scoring sparked by its opening seven-point run.
The players
Cherie Spencer
Cherie Spencer is a North Texas guard from Louisiana who set a new career high with 22 points in the season opener.
KaMyra Barber
KaMyra Barber is a North Texas player who contributed 19 points in the season-opening win over Newman.
Kalysta Martin
Kalysta Martin is a North Texas player who scored 15 points in the season-opening win over Newman.
The details
North Texas scored the first seven points of the game and built a 43-20 halftime lead before extending the margin in the second half. Spencer scored 22 points in the first half alone, and Barber and Martin combined for 34 more points in the win over the Division II program Newman.
Timeline
Monday night: North Texas defeats Newman 101-48 at the Super Pit.
Thursday: North Texas plays at San Diego State.
Sunday: North Texas faces Duke.
Season Trajectory
Spencer's 22-point performance is a significant jump from her freshman year, when she averaged 5.3 points per game and reached double figures only five times. If her scoring rises consistently, it could shift North Texas's rotation and offensive balance as the team enters a demanding early-season stretch.
Spencer's breakout scoring gives North Texas a new option in its frontcourt rotation heading into road games at San Diego State and a home test against Duke. Fantasy and roster watchers should track whether her 22-point output becomes a repeatable pattern.
The takeaway
A strong opener can set the tone for a season, but early results against a Division II opponent are best read as a first data point. Watching how Spencer and the team's other scorers perform against tougher competition will reveal more about North Texas's direction.
What happens next
North Texas plays at San Diego State on Thursday and hosts a matchup with Duke on Sunday.
Further reading
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