From the Lockerroom
12/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 19, 2004
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Head coach Jodi Kest
Opening Statement:
"We talked about coming out and playing with effort, enthusiasm and energy and we did that. It's just disappointing how we handled the last three minutes. With the way we turned the ball over, it seems liked we were afraid at the end. We haven't been in that situation this year. Even though we've won, we've up by 20 points at the end of the game. It's a good learning tool for us and I think we're going to learn a lot from this game. It's just really disappointing because we were so close to having a great opportunity for our program and our team. I'm very proud of them."
On Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's 3-point shots:
"We have great 3-point shooters. They shot the ball great at practice this week so we were very confident in this shot today. It didn't surprise us that we shot the ball this well. We knew Michigan State was going to match us today and a great opportunity would present itself. We did a good job of nailing those threes when we needed it."
On the early deficit:
"I'm not sure if it was nerves or traveling and arriving late last night. We were down by 11, but our kids did a great job at getting back into the game and cutting down that lead. We have to give a lot of credit to Michigan State with the last three minutes of the game, they made some very important shots and we had turned the ball over. It's disappointing for our kids and the coaching staff because we came so close to beating such a competitive team."
Michigan State
Head coach Joanne P. McCallie
Opening Statement:
"Coach Kest did great, really well. She has done such a great job with that team. They definitely have potential and they did some wonderful things today. As for our side of things, I think that we had some individual performances that were key. Team-wise, we just weren't as ready and focused and I know that sounds a little bit like a cliché, but that is what it was. Championship teams learn to respect everybody to the extent that every team they play is the best in the country. Our team is not at that point yet. We need to get there, to where we understand that that's how we have to play. I am grateful for the lesson that the team learned."
On how her team played at the end of the game:
"I'd like to see our team consistently convert down the stretch. We need to crank it up a notch, if we expect to do some neat things, because that is what championship teams do. We're in the process of understanding that. It is clear to see, in the game you just witnessed, that we have some definite work to do. I don't want us to be Barbie dolls. We need to play beasty and today we played like Barbie dolls."