Arsalan Kazemi had his first big offensive output against the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners in the Ducks’ 95-78 victory on Thursday night and was joined by Dominic Artis @@both names checked@@at the top of the scoring column. Both had season-high point tallies.
Kazemi scored 20 points, all from virtually at the basket, going 8 of 9 and hitting all four of his free throw attempts. Artis also shot a high percentage at 7 of 8, going 2 for 3 from behind the three-point arc. The Ducks were diverse in scoring overall, as is typical for them, with four players in double figures as the team shot a total 63 percent on the court.
The majority of Kazemi’s buckets were a result of his statistically proven hustle capabilities, as he stole the ball six times, brought in six rebounds and swatted three shots — one of which looked like a full-on volleyball spike.
“His dad was here, too. That helped a lot,” Tony Woods said of his teammate. “I’m sure he wanted to play good in front of pops.”
“He isn’t really my dad,” Kazemi added, “but he is my guardian, and that was the first time he has seen me in an Oregon uniform.”
“Arsalan created a lot with his good feet and quick hands,” Oregon head coach Dana Altman said. “He is very bright and an intelligent young man. He has really picked up what we do.”
Artis’ offensive contributions on the night were a result of total patience and control with the ball in his hands, often staring down his defender or creating off the dribble before knocking down jump-shots.
“I thought he played really well offensively; he had some good looks and knocked them down,” Altman said.
Artis also created some of his and others’ scoring chances with his three steals. He is the team leader in steals this season with 19, and Kazemi is second with 17.
The game against UTSA was the second straight game both Kazemi and Artis were in the starting five together.