DENTON, Texas -- A.J. Lawson and Zachary Simmons combined to score 22 of their 28 points in the second half and North Texas held on for a 59-53 win over Florida Atlantic on Thursday night.
Lawson had 18 points, 14 after halftime, and Simmons finished with 10 points and a career-high tying eight rebounds. Ryan Woolridge added 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists for North Texas (11-10, 4-4 Conference USA).
FAU's Anthony Adger hit back-to-back jumpers to make it 43-all with seven minutes to play, but Simmons threw down a dunk, Lawson added a layup and a 3-pointer, and the Mean Green led by five about two minutes later.