Denton, Texas ? Texas coach Jody Conradt told Jamie Carey to shoot more, and it worked out very well.

Carey scored a career-high 30 points to lead the fourth-ranked Longhorns to a 79-54 victory Thursday night over North Texas. She topped her career high of 28 points, set against New Mexico on Dec. 4.

Conradt had only one regret.

“I wish I had told her to start shooting sooner,” she said.

Tiffany Jackson added 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Longhorns (5-2), 9-0 all-time against the Mean Green.

The Longhorns, who trailed 34-31 at the break, opened the second half with a 14-4 run to take a 45-38 lead with 10:50 left. Texas also dominated the rest of the game.

Conradt wasn’t surprised by her team’s sluggish start.

“The long layoff and finals created a bit of a hangover,” she said. “They were physical with us, and we didn’t respond very well.”

Mia Ajekwu, who led North Texas (4-4) with 16 points, made a free throw for a 30-22 lead with 2:48 left in the first half.

Carey hit a three-pointer, then immediately stole the ball from Natalie Merelis to score another uncontested layup. That sliced the North Texas lead to three points with 1:54 left in the half and turned the game around for the Longhorns.

“We got down early in the first half, and when something like that happens, you look to make a big play,” Carey said. “We were just trying to establish something, and that’s when I got that steal.”

Texas controlled the boards in the second half, outrebounding North Texas, 25-12.

The Mean Green also lost their shooting touch after the break. After making 50 percent in the first half, they connected on just 33 percent after the break.