Ducks get back on track
After a disappointing loss against Colorado, Oregon beat the University of Utah 73-64 in Eugene on Saturday night to to snap their three-game losing streak.
The win couldn't have come at a better time for the Ducks after close losses against California, Southern California, and Colorado.
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Utah started the first half in control. The Ducks were not only just playing out of rhythm but just looked sloppy in the first.
Utah dominated with points off of Oregon turnovers but after what Damyean Dotson called an inspirational speech by senior forward Arsalan Kazemi in the locker room, the Ducks came out in the 2nd half and
demanded control.
Kazemi had some halftime words for his teammates.
"This is our team, we can't let the coaches get mad at us, we can't let the coaches talk, we have to step up as leaders. You can't just talk, just have to do it."
Kazemi has started to find a leadership role for the team and Saturday night against Utah, he knew he had to lead.
"It was the right time, said Kazemi. "We were down and we needed someone to stand up and talk. The coaches can't care about the game more than we do."
Other than Kazemi's 14 boards, 11 points, 3 blocks and 4 steals, the Ducks outplayed the Utes on 2nd chances points (24-6), rebounding (41-19), and bench points (14-6).
Next, the Ducks are traveling up north to play the University of Washington and Washington State.