Denton – North Texas guard Tylor Perry knocked down back-to-back threes to withstand a UTSA upset, pulling away 63-59 on Thursday night in The Super Pit.

Jacob Germany’s 15 points and seven rebounds off the bench helped find the Roadrunners in another close ball game against the current second seed in Conference USA.

Thursday’s loss adds to seven in a row for the Roadrunners. With a 1-10 C-USA record and 7-15 overall, UTSA finds itself at the bottom of the conference standings.

The ‘Runners kept North Texas in their sights, trailing 34-27 at the half. 

UTSA outscored the Mean Green in the second half, having their best shooting night since their last victory on Jan. 5.

With 4:38 left in the second half, John Buggs III made a three to pull the ‘Runners within one point. Perry countered Buggs III with a three of his own, then made another on his next possession.

Down five points with 42 seconds remaining, UTSA guard Christian Tucker went to the free-throw line and knocked down the first attempt. After missing the second, Tucker grabbed his own rebound and made a put-back layup to bring the Roadrunners back within two, trailing 61-59.

Aleu Aleu made a defensive stand on North Texas’ next possession by blocking a shot with 13 seconds remaining. The Mean Green regained the ball and sent Perry to the foul line, where he swished his two free throws. 

DJ Richards heaved up a final desperation shot, though it clanked the back iron, resulting in the 4-point loss.

Along with Germany’s 15 points, Buggs III added 13 points, going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, while Richards had 12 points of his own with two 3-pointers.

Perry led the game with 21 points, shooting 5-of-8 from the three-point line. The senior is currently seventh in the nation in three-point percentage, shooting 45.9 percent from three.

UTSA matched the Mean Green in 3-pointers made with six while also having two fewer turnovers than North Texas, keeping them within striking distance.

North Texas advances to 17-5 on the season, with an 8-3 record in league play.

Japhet Medor was sidelined for his third straight game with an ankle injury.