From The Locker Room
2/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MICHIGAN STATE VS. PENN STATE
February 8, 2001
Breslin Center
Coaches Quotes
Michigan State Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie:
On the overall perception of the game:
"I am very proud of how the team played tonight. I am proud of our team focus, team fight and team spirit -- it was inspiring to watch. Each person on the team played her role, it was a very team-oriented game. It is tough to lose a game that you fight so hard for, but yet I feel good for the team because they felt it and were ready."
On the tempo of the game:
"We came in wanting to control the tempo of the game and that is what we did. We wanted to use the shot clock. We knew we could not run with Penn State, so we needed to control the tempo of the game. We would rather have a shot clock violation than turn the ball over by trying to run."
On team chemistry:
"You can never underestimate team chemistry when players are injured and are coming and going. We needed to respond better and quicker to loosing (Candice) Jackson and (Becky) Cummings. The team deserves credit for hanging in there and never giving up."
Penn State Head Coach Rene Portland:
On playing at the Breslin Center:
"It is hard to play on the road in this conference and this place is no different. We ran better at our place and it was harder for Michigan State to set up their zone, which they did not have a problem doing here. We set up our press and made them use the shot clock."
On the differences between the two games:
"It was a different game compared to the one at our place, but it had the same outcome. We knew we were in for a ball game when we came here. We respect Michigan State's work ethic and they play us very well. We did not think we had this game won just by showing up, we knew we needed to play to win."
