Keeshawn Barthelemy needed a spark. After a gruesome lower leg injury that ended his 2023-24 campaign, he had high hopes of entering the new season fresh and free from injury. Those hopes were quickly blocked, as he started off the season shooting 1-for-8 against UC Riverside. He followed that up with another poor outing going 0-for-3 from the field against Montana.
This did not faze Barthelemy. Against the Portland Pilots on Nov. 12, Barthelemy exploded for 13 points and carried the Ducks to a comeback overtime victory. This included back-to-back 3-pointers with three minutes remaining that seemingly raised the Ducks from the grave and made it a 60-57 game, eventually leading to overtime and a Ducks win.
This was not a one-hit-wonder game. Against the Troy Trojans, Barthelemy led the team in scoring with 15, shooting an efficient 4-for-6 from the field and 3-for-4 from 3. On top of that, he was a perfect 4-for-4 from the line.
He was feeling it, and the next game was circled on the calendar for the Ducks — a rivalry game showdown on Nov. 21 against the Oregon State Beavers in Gill Coliseum. Barthelemy was hungry for another statement.
He picked up right where he left off, knocking down a triple for his first points of the night at the 10:36 mark in the first half. After missing his next shot, he found the bottom of the cup again with another hit from long-range. This got him up to six points 13 minutes in.
As the first half was winding down, Barthelemy made his impact known on the offensive and defensive side of the court. With 2:13 left in the half, he got a steal that led to a smooth pull-up jumper to increase his first-half point total to a team-high eight points.
“Keeshawn kept us in it in the first half, he played good,” said head coach Dana Altman postgame.
Altman credited Barthelemy’s experience, saying being around for these last few years and being surrounded by competitors like Jermaine Cousinard and N’faly Dante have helped his success this season.
Barthelemy’s scoring slowed in the second half, but he still found a way to get himself on the stat sheet by picking up two more steals and two assists, including a dime to Jackson Shelstad who knocked down a huge 3 that put the Ducks up 74-72 with 2:43 left.
He was not held scoreless in the second half, as he found his way down low to convert a layup off a Nate Bittle swat on the other end at the 12:50 mark.
“Keeshawn is definitely a big impact. He’s an older guy coming off our bench. He has a lot of experience and he’s good with the ball, can pick up full-court, Keeshawn’s a great player,” said Bittle postgame against the Beavers. “He brings a lot of energy to our team.”
Barthelemy kept up his strong play to make it three straight great games. The Ducks needed it against the Beavers, as they squeaked out a 78-75 win. Barthelemy finished with 10 points, one rebound, two assists and three steals.
Barthelemy can keep up his hot shooting by finding his spots and not settling for more difficult shots. When he does that and stays aggressive on the defensive end, the Ducks are going to get a spark off the bench from him all season like they have the last three games.
The Ducks hope Barthelemy can stay hot for their next game, as they will be tested by No. 23 Texas A&M on Nov. 26.