DENTON, Texas (AP) - Tristan Thompson scored 20 points Sunday to lead North Texas past Louisiana-Monroe, 79-62, in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.

Eric Tramiel scored 16 points, Josh White 15, and George Odufuwa contributed 13 points and nine rebounds for the Mean Green (6-3).

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North Texas only led 35-33 at halftime, but opened up a 21-point lead with seven minutes to play. The Mean Green shot 57 percent from the field for the game, and a blistering 70 percent in the second half. White and Thompson each had four 3-pointers.

Tommie Sykes had 13 points and nine rebounds to lead Louisiana-Monroe (3-6), which shot 36 percent from the field. Lawrence Gilbert and Tony Hooper scored 10 points apiece.