Post-Game Quotes: Texas Southern

Michigan State head coach Suzy Merchant

On the challenges…
I give them a lot of credit, I thought they came out of the gates with a lot more enthusiasm and energy and more physicality and speed while we were just sort of going through the motions a little bit.   We let their best player get away from us, number 23. There were some things that I obviously was happy about and some things that I was disappointed about...but you are right, defensively we just didn't guard very well today.   I know it sounds weird to say that when they score 45 points but it is more about how they penetrated and that was a little bit frustrating because we do work on some of that stuff every day.

On Tory Ozment…
She has been doing very well.   Obviously, she has had some very good games.   She is just multidimensional in terms of the way she plays the game.   She is very skilled as you can see and can make shots. She is a very good three point shooter, she can handle it, she can rebound.   I think she comes from one of the best high schools and coaches in the country so when she came in here you knew she was going to understand and know the game.   I just think she keeps it simple, and I said this on the radio about Kayla Belles too… Those kids are drama free and you don't have to worry about what their moods are like… getting them pumped up, they just come to work everyday.   They appreciate being here, they work hard and keep it simple. They play within a team concept and I think it is really fun to watch them. It is exciting to see her continue to progress. I really do think that mono situation this fall really did hinder her ability early on to get on the court and just wasn't quite there yet from an aerobic standpoint so I feel like her lungs are catching up and she has really been practicing well.   She just keeps it simple and she is capable. You can see her get the rebound and bring it coast to coast, you can see her hit a three, she has a little post up to her game...she is a real versatile player.

On Taryn McCutcheon's Role...
I think the addition of (Nia) Clouden has really helped Taryn's (McCutcheon) game for sure. It is just really hard for Taryn when you have to run the point and score... it is kind of a unique skill set.   Taryn can score but doing both is a lot. I thought we asked her to do a lot and played a lot of minutes with a limited bench. This year when we still have some kids hurt, I would have liked to get her out a little bit more but her and Clouden are the only point guards I have right now so I think Clouden's ability to run the show takes the pressure off her and let's her focus on certain things we need her to do.   Shoot three's obviously, she has been doing a great job of getting the ball inside. She had ten assists and one turnover today. I am super excited about that because that is part of her game I think. We have been challenging her a little bit on getting a little more post feeds and she has been doing a great job of that.

On the team's overall performance...
I think there are things we do well.   To me obviously, we have some kids on the bench that I think are part of that rotation too.   What I am pleased with is that we have kids stepping up. Our freshman have done a really good job up to this point, I have always been impressed with (Nia) Clouden.   I know I get on her about certain things but that kid has really been a special edition. She is a tough kid that can do some things. I think Tory's (Ozment) development and now Kayla (Belles) finally getting to play...those three kids have been a nice edition and are getting valuable minutes right now...our bench is getting valuable minutes right now and that is an important piece so when we do get people back we will be even stronger.   It is exciting but we still have a lot to work on.

Players Mentioned

Kayla Belles

Taryn McCutcheon

Tory Ozment

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