Denton, Texas - North Texas earned a share of the 2002 Sun Belt Conference football championship tonight with a 38-27 win over previously undefeated New Mexico State.  The Mean Green will represent the Sun Belt for the second consecutive year in the second annual New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 17 at the Louisiana Superdome.

Mean Green running back Kevin Galbreath rushed for 175 yards and 1 touchdown.  Galbreath, a senior, has rushed for over 1,000 yards for the second consecutive season.  Michael Hickmon, also a senior, found the endzone three times for the Mean Green, twice on passes from freshman quarterback Andrew Smith and once on the ground.  It was the first time all season that Hickmon had scored a single touchdown.

North Texas finishes the regular season next week at Middle Tennessee.  New Mexico State finishes the regular season next week at Idaho.

Other scores around the league:
Arkansas 24, Louisiana-Lafayette 17
Middle Tennessee 44, Louisiana-Monroe 28
Arkansas State 38, Idaho 29