Post-Game Quotes
2/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 4, 2007
Michigan State Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie
Post-Game Quotes vs. Illinois
Opening statement...
I'm just really proud of our team. In that three minutes and 30 seconds I thought we made some really gutsy plays both defensively and offensively. It was that kind of game, really good shooting by both teams. We made some of the shots we wanted to make during the game, but at that point you have to focus on what you can control, and I think our team did a really good job controlling the last three minutes to give us an opportunity to win. I thought Mia and Victoria did some really nice things, and Aisha and Allyssa were solid. It was everybody coming together. There's no question we can play better, but we got some great experience coming down the stretch.
On Illinois...
They did a really nice job. They found (Lori Bjork) too many times in the first half, which hurt us because she is an excellent guard. We jumped around too much giving them some gaps and opportunities.
On the last 10-15 minutes...
I think the players stepped it up. It was the point in time where it comes down to how bad you want it. When the game is going that way, we made shots and they made shots. At some point someone has to take a stand, and I think our players did. The five who were on the floor at the time really buckled-down. They didn't get the dribble penetration in the last four minutes. In that time Illinois had a much harder time getting those types of plays.
On Rene Haynes...
She made the big 3, which was a big lift to the team. Her scrappiness defensively and protecting the ball was huge for the team. She has a lot of experience - she's excellent at creating action on the floor, and she definitely displayed that today.
Illinois Head Coach Theresa Grentz
Opening Statement...
That was doable for us, but hopefully we'll learn from that. Michigan State did what they needed to do down the stretch and won the game, but from our stand point, I think that was very doable.
On Michigan State's play...
They had the ball and we didn't. They scored and we didn't. They made the plays. I thought that the problems for us were the missed free throws and turning the ball over. I thought Michigan State did a good job of getting in there, particularly right in front of our bench.
On Aisha Jefferson's play...
Well, she is so strong. I think anyone with strength at any sport gives you a whole dimension. She is very powerful, she likes contact and she engages in it. She played well tonight.
