DENTON, Texas (AP) -- Jerry Nichols scored 21 points and Dewarick Spencer scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half as Arkansas State rallied past North Texas 73-70 Saturday night.
Arkansas State (11-7, 4-2 Sun Belt) trailed 40-31 at halftime, but took the lead for good thanks to a 23-8 run early in the second half.
North Texas (9-7, 2-3) had a chance to send the game into overtime, but Calvin Watson missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds.
Watson had 20 points and Leonard Hopkins chipped in with 17 for the Mean Green.
North Texas led 42-31 early in the second half before Arkansas State's surge. Spencer capped the run with a 3-pointer that gave the Indians a 54-50 lead with 11:02 remaining.
Arkansas State led 71-66 with 1:38 left, but North Texas crept within one point on Hopkins' 3-point play and an Issac Hines free throw.
J.J. Montgomery hit a pair of free throws to put the Indians ahead 73-70 with 15 seconds left.
