Rice University
5-4
Santa Clara
6-5
Owls emerge from break, defeat Santa Clara 70-57
12/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 16, 2009
Final Stats
Santa Clara vs. Rice Game Book 
By MOISEKAPENDA BOWER
If the disparate number of fouls whistled offers any indication, Rice freshman Arsalan Kazemi has not earned respect from the officials charged with maintaining order between the Owls and their opponents.
However, one thing was clear when Kazemi checked out of Wednesday night's game for the final time: The appreciation from the Tudor Fieldhouse crowd and his teammates on the bench runs especially deep.
After igniting the rally that swung momentum in the Owls' favor and ostensibly clinched their 70-57 victory over Santa Clara, Kazemi was bathed by a warm ovation from the 1,556 fans on hand and greeted by high fives and a hug from Emerson Herndon that inspired a broad smile. He was deserving of that lighthearted moment after scoring 12 points, grabbing seven rebounds and tallying four steals in 20 impassioned minutes off the bench as the Owls (5-4) snapped their three-game skid.
Connor Frizzelle paired 16 points with a season-high five assists, Cliff Ghoram added season highs in points (15) and rebounds (eight), and Trey Stanton chipped in 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting as Rice overcame an early lull to take a 31-27 halftime lead. When the Broncos (6-5) tried to surge back into contention, Kazemi morphed into a whirling dervish.
"He really does a good job of creating mismatches, whether out on the floor or on the block," Rice coach Ben Braun said. "They pulled their double (team) off and he went to work. And if you double Arsalan he's a pretty good passer out, so you can run some things through him and it gave Trey and Lucas (Kuipers) a chance to spot up on the perimeter."
With Rice clinging to a 41-35 lead, Kazemi scored on a circus shot at the rim, netted a steal that resulted in two Frizzelle free throws, assisted on a Kuipers baseline layup, and added a tip-in that bumped the lead to 52-39 with 7:40 left to play. The advantage swelled to 14 when Kazemi completed a three-point play at the 6:50 mark, and Rice cruised home.
More accustomed to scoring in transition or after offensive rebounds, Kazemi was the focal point on offense for a lengthy stretch following intermission. He deftly added the title of `facilitator' to his resume´.
"I started playing better and my teammates and coaches trust me more," Kazemi said. "They passed the ball inside to me and they know that I can kick the ball outside and they're going to be free and they can shoot it.
"I've really gotten stronger. When I came over I was real weak - I was like 198 (pounds). (Basketball strength and conditioning coordinator) Scott (McLafferty) helped me a lot; I'm like 214 now. I'm really bigger and I feel more comfortable in the post."
Added Frizzelle: "Arsalan down low, he's a beast in my opinion. He's pretty quick so it's hard to guard him, he can rebound, he can finish around the basket, and it's no surprise to me that he was doing that because in practice he's been doing that the whole time."
Frizzelle credited assistant coach Mike Roberts with an exceptional game plan that allowed the Owls to attack the Broncos' vulnerabilities defensively and aggressively challenge entry passes. Though the Owls shot just 39.3 percent, they recorded assists on 17 of their 22 made field goals. Defensively they racked up 17 steals and forced 23 turnovers that they converted into 27 points. Tamir Jackson paced Rice with five steals.
Having fallen behind 17-10 early in the first half, the Owls allowed just two baskets over an 11-minute stretch where they reeled off a 21-7 run. After Santa Clara pulled to within 36-33 on a running one-handed jumper by Robert Smith with 15:43 remaining, the Owls held the Broncos without a field goal over the ensuing eight minutes. Rice totaled five steals during that stretch while expanded its lead to double digits.
"We were there," Braun said. "We have an intelligent team, and they make good adjustments. And that's important if we're able to beat them to the spot. I thought we did that."
