HONOLULU, Hawai'i –  North Texas remained undefeated with a hard-fought 78-73 victory over the Portland Pilots on Saturday night at the Rainbow Classic. Sophomore guard JoJo Walker scored a career-high 22 points to lead the Pilots (1-2).

Walker converted 9-of-11 field goal attempts and 4-of-5 from three-point range. Sophomore guard Marcus Shaver Jr. added 17 points and was named to the Rainbow Classic All-Tournament Team.

The Mean Green (3-0) provided a tough test, coming off a CBI Postseason tournament title and 20-win season last year.

Walker scored 17 second half points to carry Portland back from a double-digit deficit. He scored nine straight points and then Franklin Porter drilled a corner three-pointer to cut the margin to 60-57 with 7:00 remaining. Hugh Hogland's putback then made it a 61-59 deficit.

Portland once again was within one possession after a Josh McSwiggan three-point play to make it 65-62 with 4:37 remaining, but UNT was able to keep it a two possession game the rest of the way.

Zachary Simmons scored a game-high 23 points for the Mean Green, while Ryan Woolridge added 22 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.

UNT gained a 40-24 edge in points in the paint and shot 53 percent from the field. Portland finished at 48 percent shooting and made 9-of-21 three-pointers.

UNT jumped out to a 14-4 lead early in the game, but the Pilots (1-2) answered with an 11-2 run sparked by seven points from Shaver Jr. The Mean Green closed the half with another surge to lead 39-30 at the half.

Portland will visit Cal State Northridge next Saturday before returning home to host Lewis & Clark on Nov. 19 and then the Portland Classic over Thanksgiving weekend. Tickets for all upcoming Portland basketball games are available by calling 503-943-GOUP or visiting PortlandPilots.com/Tickets.