Postgame Quotes
3/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 23, 2004
Michigan State Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie
On tonight's game...
"Texas played a strong game. I thought we did a poor job on their shooters and they did a very good job. I am pleased with the evenness of the game looking at the points in the paint, offensive rebounds, points off turnovers and second-chance points. We were right there with them. Texas is an excellent team and they hold their destiny in their own hands. (Jamie) Carey is a coach on the floor and that goes a long way as the team showed. I'm very proud of our team, but disappointed. We hope to be back next year and better."
On Texas' second half run...
"We didn't play sharp defense. Heather (Schreiber) and Jamie (Carey) are great shooters, but they still shouldn't have been so open. Jamie (Carey) showed that she's a great leader and she led her team appropriately at that time."
On what you take from this season...
"We've learned a lot. We are right there. We've taken lots of hits this season and lacked maturity but our freshman will learn and we'll be back. Our team plays with pride and fight and for that I'm proud."
Sophomore Guard Lindsay Bowen
On tonight's game...
"We did not stay together tonight. Texas got momentum and ran with that momentum. In the future, we need to stay together and not let the crowd rattle us. Defensively, we did not buckle down and play 'Michigan State' defense."
Senior Forward Julie Pagel
On lessons learned...
"We needed to take advantage of what (Texas) gave us. Defensively, this game was a lesson for us. I am disappointed at a missed opportunity to play [in the next game], but I am proud of where we have come from and where we are going in the future."
Texas Head Coach Jody Conradt
On tonight's game...
"We beat a really good team tonight. We did a lot of things well and I have a lot of respect for Michigan State. I'm happy and pleased with this team and (advancing far in the NCAA Tournament) has been a goal of ours. The crowd was great tonight and after the game both the University president (Larry Faulkner) and (former Texas governor) Ann Richards came into the locker room to congratulate the team. The girls played with their hearts tonight. Heather (Schreiber) and Jaime (Carey) both found their spots, Coco Reed did a good job and Stacy (Stephens) had her hands full. Tonight was a team effort win and I believe that we will represent the University well as we move forward."
On Jamie Carey's collision...
"I am always concerned when one of our players gets injured. You know that injuries are a possibility in this game. Nina (Norman) twisted her ankle right after Jaime got injured but I've seen enough injuries and anytime there is a collision you should be concerned. The trainers and doctors took Jaime to the locker room and she was conscious the entire time. We made sure she was alright before she came back because of her past injuries. She plays aggressive and that is what makes her as good as she is. We have talked about all the precautions to take such as using a specialized mouth piece and getting her head back when she's in a defensive stance to get her in a position where she is not vulnerable. I called a play for her when she re-entered the game because I figured she would knock it down."
Senior Center Stacy Stephens
On her last game here in the Frank Erwin Center...
"I didn't take a victory lap tonight after the game, I took a lap to say 'thank you' to all of our fans. The crowd really touched me tonight and I was going to go around and shake as many hands as I could because that is the way that I was brought up, to show that you appreciate people. This game means a lot to me and it was a great feeling to have a lot of my family and friends here tonight.
Junior Guard Jamie Carey
On her offensive performance (scoring 20 points)...
"I just got in a groove. I started out a little slow and wasn't staying with my shot. I think the whole team just got into it and had a good offensive flow. When that happens, it's easier to knock down shots because you are not forcing things."
On her return to the game after leaving in the first half ...
"I am really appreciative of our fans. When I came back out on the floor, they were very loud and encouraging. I also got a lot of confidence from Coach when I was on the bench. I knew it was time to get down and get to work. I just came out, hit a few shots and they started falling."
Junior Forward Heather Schreiber
On the offensive performance of the team...
"We were moving the ball really well and making good cuts and extra passes, which I think helped us get open shots. When you're hitting wide open shots, it's a lot easier to get into an offensive flow."
