North Texas led by as many as 13 points in the second half before a big comeback by Western Kentucky delivered the Hilltoppers the Sun Belt Tournament championship and an automatic birth into the NCAA Tournament.
Tyler Hall's jumper gave the Mean Green a 55-42 lead with 12:51 remaining before the comeback began. It took Western Kentucky about six minutes to erase that lead when they tied the game 59-59 on a Teeng Akol jump shot with just under six minutes to go in the game. George Fant put the Hilltoppers up 67-66 with 2:52 to go and North Texas would never lead again.
Tony Mitchell scored 18 points to lead North Texas and also had five rebounds. Alzee Williams and Brandan Walton added 14 points each while Jacob Holmen finished with 13.
Teeng Akol led the Hilltoppers with 25 points and six boards. George Fant added 17 points and seven rebounds while Kahlil McDonald added 14 points off the bench.
For more coverage of March Madness, be sure to check out SB Nation's college basketball page.