In a spectacular season opener, Je’Shawn Stevenson led North Texas to a commanding 88-54 win over Division II New Mexico Highlands. The game in Denton, Texas, put several Mean Green players in the spotlight and gave fans a taste of what could be a wild season.
Stevenson dropped 18 points and grabbed three steals, showing off on both ends of the floor. Right away, North Texas looked like a team ready to make some noise.
Je’Shawn Stevenson Shines in Season Opener
Je’Shawn Stevenson was on fire. He led the team with 18 points and set the tempo for the Mean Green.
His three steals? Just icing on the cake. Stevenson’s defense was everywhere, and honestly, his energy seemed contagious.
Offensive Mastery
Stevenson’s ability to get to the rim and hit his shots made him a nightmare for New Mexico Highlands. He just kept finding ways to score.
It’s not hard to imagine this kind of performance becoming a regular thing for him. North Texas might have found their go-to guy.
Defensive Prowess
But it wasn’t just the scoring. Stevenson’s defense stood out, too.
He kept disrupting the Cowboys’ offense, and those three steals really tell the story. That kind of two-way play? It’s going to be huge for North Texas.
Supporting Cast Steps Up
Stevenson might’ve stolen the show, but his teammates had their moments. Josiah Shackleford, EJ Horton, and Dontae Walker all chipped in to seal the win.
Josiah Shackleford’s Efficiency
Shackleford was nearly perfect, hitting 6 of 7 shots for 16 points. He just kept finding the right spots and making it look easy.
With that kind of efficiency, he’s going to be a big part of their offense moving forward.
EJ Horton’s Consistent Play
EJ Horton added 12 points, giving North Texas another steady scoring option. Horton’s versatility on offense adds a nice wrinkle to their attack.
Dontae Walker and Nikk Williams Lead New Mexico Highlands
Even with the loss, New Mexico Highlands had some bright spots. Dontae Walker led the Cowboys with 14 points and two blocks.
Nikk Williams filled up the stat sheet, finishing with 11 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Dontae Walker’s Leadership
Walker was the go-to guy for New Mexico Highlands and made his presence felt on defense, too. His leadership will be important for the Cowboys as they try to bounce back.
Nikk Williams’ All-Around Game
Williams showed off his versatility with a little bit of everything—scoring, rebounding, passing, and defense. He’s got the kind of game that can keep his team in it, even on tough nights like this one.
New Mexico Highlands’ Development
For New Mexico Highlands, the game against North Texas felt like a lesson in progress. The way Walker and Williams played gives the team something real to work with moving forward.
They’ll be looking to keep that momentum, hoping to sharpen their game and maybe shake things up in their division.
If you want a deeper dive into what happened, the full article’s up at Fox Sports.
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