North Texas’ exhibition game against TWU didn’t count for anything, at least not in terms of either team’s record.

The scene at the Super Pit after the buzzer showed that a 79-75 win over the Mean Green mattered a whole lot to TWU, though. The Division II team from across town got a chance to take down the major college headliner, and capitalized for the first time since 1981.

TWU’s players rushed the floor at the Super Pit and spent several minutes celebrating what was supposed to be a relatively meaningless exhibition game.

“We are on cloud nine right now,” TWU guard Jessica Hanna said. “We are so excited. We fought hard and deserve this win. We were talking about it being the battle of Denton County.”

TWU led by as many as 20 in the second half, but needed to hang on in the final few minutes after the Mean Green made a run and cut its deficit to two points twice in the final two minutes, the final time with 24 seconds left on a pair of free throws from Brittney James.

TWU iced the game when Hanna hit the first of two free throws with 10 seconds left. She missed the second, but grabbed the rebound and fed Kayla Weaver, who hit a layup. Hanna finished with 20 points to lead TWU, while James paced UNT with 21 points.

“Anytime we step on the court we want to win,” TWU head coach Beth Jillson said. “There is a lot of hype with this game. Our kids know their kids. There has been some talk. We told our players not to talk and to prove it on the court. We had a ton of heart and desire on the court tonight.”

TWU hit six 3-pointers in the first half and led 34-26 at the break after Kayla Weaver hit a jumper at the buzzer.

The Pioneers stretched their lead to 54-34 with 12:19 left before UNT began its run on a night when it rolled out nearly an entirely remade lineup. The Mean Green returned just three players in head coach Shanice Stephens’ second season.

Jasmine Godbolt finished with a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds in her first game in a UNT uniform.

UNT finally found its form late in the second half and got back into the game, but couldn’t overcome TWU.

“We are much more talented than we showed,” Stephens said. “We didn’t play to our potential. We just have to have that want-to. We are a very talented team. We just have to put it together.”

UNT couldn’t reach that goal, which Stephens said is a credit to TWU.

“TWU did a great job,” Stephens said. “They did a great job of attacking the basket and knocking down shots. They will be good in their conference.”

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com

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TWU 79, UNT 75

TWU — Weaver 6-11 0-2 13, Hashman 4-11 10-13 18, Hanna 5-16 6-8 20, Durr 2-12 7-12 12, Dixon 0-3 0-0 0, Guerin 0-4 0-0 0, Bolds 3-5 3-4 11, Marquez 1-3 2-3 5. Totals 21-65 28-42 79.

NORTH TEXAS — Godbolt 5-8 3-6 13, Hudson 1-6 4-5 6, Hughes 0-3 0-2 0, James 8-17 5-9 21, Kellum 3-7 2-2 8, Brown 0-1 0-0 0, Burwell 1-3 2-2 4, Hawkins 0-0 0-0 0, Cuffie 3-7 5-5 11, Torru 3-10 4-4 10, Timms 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 25-64 25-35 75.

Halftime TWU 34-26. 3-point goals – TWU 9-20 (Weaver 1-3, Hashman 0-1, Hanna 4-8, Durr 1-1, Dixon 0-1, Bolds 2-3, Marquez 1-3), UNT 0-8 (Hudson 0-1, Hughes 0-1, James 0-3, Kellum 0-1, Torru 0-2). Fouled out – Hudson. Rebounds – TWU 43 (Hashman 8), UNT 55 (Godbolt 11). Assists – TWU 14 (Weaver, Bolds 3), UNT 9 (Hudson, Kellum 3). Total fouls – TWU 24, UNT 31.