BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — No. 6 North Texas defeated No. 7 Florida Atlantic, 74–70, in the second round of the 2026 American Men’s Basketball Championship on Thursday evening at Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama.
 
With the win, the Mean Green (19–13) advance to face No. 3 Tulsa in Friday’s quarterfinals at 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
 
North Texas used the charity stripe to its advantage in the first half, getting to the free throw line 22 times to take a 34–30 lead over the Owls. Bud Hammer Jr. went 6-for-9 from the line to lead the team at the break.
 
Free throws continued to shape the game in the second half, as the teams combined for 45 attempts. The Owls cut the deficit to three points with three seconds remaining, but a final North Texas free throw sealed the win.
 
Isaiah Elohim led FAU with 20 points, shooting 8-for-11 from the line, while Amar Amkou added 13 points, including a 7-for-9 effort at the stripe.
 
North Texas was paced by Je’Shawn Stevenson’s 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Hammer Jr. finished with 12 points, and David Terrell Jr. added 11.