DENTON, Texas (2/23/08) ? Despite getting a game-high 26 points from Adrian Banks and a double-double from Shawn Morgan, the ASU men's basketball team (9-19, 4-13) couldn't overcome a hot-shooting North Texas (18-9, 9-7) squad in an 82-77 setback Saturday night at The Super Pit.

The Indians shot 43 percent from the field and 44 percent from beyond the arc, but the Mean Green countered with a .551 shooting percentage and shot 64 percent from downtown.

ASU never led, but sliced a 10-point halftime deficit down to three points, 50-47, with 12:04 left in the game and kept it close the rest of the way.  The Indians kept it a one-possession game for much of the second half, but never could grab the lead.

Trailing just 63-66 with 3:59 left in the game, ASU gave up a 7-0 run that put it down 10 points with 2:06 remaining.  ASU was able to mount a late comeback, closing the gap to just three points with 16 seconds left, but North Texas' made 9-of-12 free throws over the final 2:06 to hold off the Indians.

Banks led four ASU players scoring in double figures, while Morgan scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season.  Ryan Wedel chipped in 14 points and Kewain Gant added 12 for the Indians.

Both teams finished with 30 rebounds, but the Indians grabbed 14 offensive boards to the Mean Green's nine.  ASU took advantage of its success on the offensive glass, scoring 17 second-chance points.

ASU tied the score for the second time at the 7:28 mark of the first half when Shawn Morgan hit a jumper in the lane that made the score 22-22.  However, the Mean Green went on a 17-4 run to take a 37-24 lead with 1:24 left before halftime.  ASU's Adrian Banks hit a three-pointer with two seconds left to close out the first-half scoring and bring the Indians within 27-37.

North Texas had four players score in double figures as well, led by Collin Dennis with 24 points and Josh White with 23.