No. 25 Oregon women’s basketball locks down North Texas in matinee matchup

No. 25 Oregon women’s basketball pulled an upset over Baylor on Sunday thanks in large part to its defensive effort, and that carried over to Tuesday’s matinee win over North Texas.

The Ducks (4-0) beat the Mean Green, 66-35, holding the visitors to just 24% shooting. While Oregon struggled in its own right to shoot the ball (45%) and committed 16 turnovers, it found a better stride in the second half and pulled away in front of a youthful audience of field trip-goers at Matthew Knight Arena.

12 different Ducks scored, and it was spread evenly throughout the game — a testament to this team’s ability to share the ball. Oregon was led by Elisa Mevius and Nani Falatea with 11 points apiece, along with seven points for Deja Kelly.

The game started ugly, with Oregon leading just 2-1 more than four minutes in. The Ducks regained their energy and kept firing, taking a 14-4 lead after one.

Oregon’s defense held up mightily in the second quarter, and North Texas finished the first half shooting just 2-of-19 from the field and trailing, 27-9. Mevius’ defensive pressure and the size of Phillipina Kyei inside were too much for the Mean Green to handle.

Both players were pivotal to Oregon opening up its lead in the third quarter, with Kyei snatching offensive rebounds and Mevius utilizing her length to continually disrupt North Texas’ rhythm. Oregon took a 46-21 lead into the final frame.

Kyei occasionally ran the Oregon offense out of the post, either scoring with ease over a much smaller North Texas defender or dishing to teammates for open three-pointers. Falatea was the hot hand in the fourth, hitting a pair of threes from the corner in front of the Oregon bench.

Kyei forced a five-second call in the early fourth, utilizing her 6-foot-8 frame to the Ducks’ defensive advantage. And Mevius’ finishing was on display once again with a layup to give Oregon a 58-27 lead with just under six minutes to go.

A late three-pointer by Sammie Wagner gave Oregon its 12th scorer in the game, furthering the balance the Ducks showed all night. Substitutes finished things off for the Ducks and maintained an eventual 31-point win.

Next game: No. 25 Oregon (4-0) vs. Grand Canyon (1-1)

• When: Monday, Nov. 18
• Time: 6 p.m. PT
• Where: Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene
• TV: B1G+

-- Ryan Clarke covers the Oregon Ducks and Big Ten Conference. Listen to the Ducks Confidential podcast or subscribe to the Ducks Roundup newsletter.