Kelly Graves always stresses the importance of certain things. Protect the ball. Hit open shots. Don’t leave points at the free-throw line. 

And on the heels of the program’s biggest win in years, that version of the Ducks (4-0) didn’t arrive in their 66-35 win over North Texas (2-1) — at least not completely. They continuously committed turnovers. They missed open layups. They shot just 55.6% from the line. 

Fortunately for the Ducks, their defense proved too much for an opponent incapable of handling active hands and halfcourt pressure. Oregon forced 19 turnovers but committed 16 of its own,  not really taking a step forward after its cathartic win over then No.12 Baylor. 

“That wasn’t our best effort in terms of execution,” head coach Kelly Graves said. “I’m really proud of our team to come back like we did after 36,38 hours after a huge game, I’m really proud of our team for coming out like we did.”

“Our biggest opponent is ourselves,” Mevius said.

Tuesday’s contest included turnovers galore, long-scoring droughts and struggles making shots from long range. But, luckily, Oregon’s offensive struggles happened in a game where North Texas struggled at just about everything. 

“We were ready to play,” Graves said. “We defended really well in that first half, the experience won out, they were ready, we just didn’t execute it the way we wanted to.”

In a more encouraging development, Oregon’s defense was superb and held North Texas to 24.5% shooting. The Mean Green’s offense went ice-cold with just 12 made field-goals on the day. 

12 of 13 Ducks that played added baskets. Nani Falatea and Mevius led all scorers with 11 points apiece.

“It’s not going to take one or two people,” Falatea, who was 3-4 from deep, said. “It’s going to take everyone.” 

Most of the other points came on layups and shots in transition, the rewards of expending all that effort on defense.

North Texas had trouble merely getting the ball into the frontcourt as the Ducks’ offense simply having a pulse turned the game into a blowout. The Mean Green hit just two shots from the field in the first half of action, which was good for just nine points. 

“When you’re only allowing two field-goals in a half, that’s getting it done.” Graves said.

Oregon hounded North Texas all game long, forcing multiple shot clock violations and countless turnovers. UNT head coach Jason Burton angrily called timeouts after each Oregon scoring binge. 

“Our team schemes were really good tonight,” Mevius said. “I know Ari [Long] took a charge one time when I got beat.” 

Graves was especially pleased with his team’s effort throughout, which proved the Ducks were “ready to play” after the big win over Baylor. 

He was also complementary of Mevius who converted a four-point play extending the Ducks’ lead to ten in a first quarter where they held the Mean Green to just four points. Mevius drew a charge on the following possession, another example of just how impactful she can be even when not producing the most eye-popping statline.  

“She’s a menace,” Graves said of Mevius. “Capital M.”

Graves will have to wait a week before seeing his team in action again, as the Ducks will sit idle before taking on Grand Canyon next Monday. 

“We don’t have an off opponent,” Graves said. “We’ve got to bring it every night.”