Post-Game Quotes: NCAA First Round - Belmont
3/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
2016 NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
First Round · Michigan State vs. Belmont
Humphrey Coliseum · Starkville, Miss.
Friday, March 18
POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES â€" MICHIGAN STATE
Suzy Merchant, Michigan State Head Coach:
Opening Statement…
"It's been a while since we've played. It was just good to finally get in the groove. I was really proud of our team just staying in the fight and obvioulsy in that fourth quarter being able to put their foot on the gas and make the decision to go win the game."
On Belmont giving them trouble…
"They have the shooters and the shots were going in. They run a million and one plays, so I knew it was going to be a little bit of a struggle to go through everything they did."
On Vic Schaefer's coaching of players…
"Everyone in the room is going to say the same thing, defense. It's kind of where it starts for them. They're a great defensive team. He prides himself on that and so does the team. He does a really good job at defining roles."
On Aerial Powers' timidness…
"That girl is never timid. She believes in herself. She's confident and has put the work in. She can go from zero to crazy in terms of how she wants to work on her game. That was our thing. Early on her numbers didn't really reflect some of the things she really could do because she couldn't put the work in."
Jasmine Hines, Michigan State Center:
On getting shots…
"Coming into the game we knew we had an advantage outside, so we've been working on that in practice and I think it carried over into the game today."
On playing a better game…
"It's always nice to have a good game, especially since I wasn't really playing last year. To come back and have a tournament bid is just great."
Aerial Powers, Michigan State Forward:
On her long three-point shot…
"Coach [Suzy Merchant] ran a play and I was supposed to come off the screen. I picked up my dribble and realized they cut off [Jasmine] Hines, so I threw it to Branndais (Agee) and then asked for it back. I forget who was guarding, but they tipped it so I grabbed the ball, looked at the rim and just heaved it. Luckily, it went off the glass and went in."
On the 10-0 scoring stretch…
"They had back-to-back misses and everytime we got the rebound and converted. We were converting on their missed shots."
On being the school's leading scorer…
"Someone just told me right before we came in here. I honestly forgot all about it, but I'm happy to have that under my belt. Right now, I'm just trying to focus on getting the win on Sunday."
