Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech vs. Samford Postgame Quotes
November 15, 2010 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 15, 2010
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2010 Texas Tech Women's Basketball
Lady Raiders vs. Samford (United Spirit Arena, Lubbock, Texas)
Nov. 15, 2010
Texas Tech Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Kristy Curry
On the team's performance against Samford
"I think you just have to credit Samford. I tried to get the kids attention, our staff did. They beat Ole Miss in the NIT a year ago. They were 23-11, they were picked to win their league and they have two outstanding seniors in (Emily) London and (Savannah) Hill. They are going to make you play ugly, and it was extremely ugly the first half, but again when you take care of the basketball and you come out and defense the way we did the second half. We only gave up three field goals in the second half, if I'm not mistaken, you are going to win some games. So, ugly counts tonight and we will take and we will grow from it. A lot of folks don't want to play them. They are extremely well coached, and we knew tonight would make us better and we take a lot away from tonight. Again, it is a win."
On making adjustments
"We tried to change our defenses and keep them a little bit out of rhythm. You have to give our kids credit, though. They really bought in the second half. We wanted to be tied at the 16-minute mark. I thought our bench really helped us out. I thought mentally when we were changing our defenses, and it made them a little bit more indecisive."
On Guard Casey Morris
"She did a great job with her energy. We had some crucial turnovers in transition, those are what I call good turnovers because they are attacking. She just brings a lot of energy and lot of excitement and passion. She plays really hard, wants to make things happen. She wants to take big shots, wants the ball in her hands and that is a great addition because she is a sophomore. Mo(Monique Smalls) is a sophomore. So, you are looking at two young kids and they are really going to grow from all these experiences they are having as sophomores."
On the competition the team has seen
"That is hard to say, but at the same time we have had two great experiences. They are two totally different teams. You open in that kind of environment and you are successful. You find a way to show a lot of character and a lot of poise tonight and get an ugly win. You have to be proud of what they have done, but by no means is anybody satisfied. We have so much room for improvement. We are going to have some great teaching clips, I can tell you that, on our defense the first half."
Guard Mary Bokenkamp
On making a 3-pointer in a critical time in the game
"I guess it's always kind of in the back of my mind. I knew we had been struggling, but in the second half we definitely picked up our defense and started to get into a little bit of a flow offensively. So, I knew if I had the opportunity I would definitely try to nail it for my team, and help keep that run going. I think it was more defense than anything that really got the momentum going toward that middle part of the second half."
On the team coming back against Samfordbr> "The first half, just like coach was saying, it was defensively we were struggling a little bit, and almost more than that was offensively we just couldn't seem to make shots or knock down the open jumpers we had. Second half it seemed like we were making some more but obviously I know that shooting is my strong point. I know if I have an open look then that is what my team is looking for me to do, to knock it down."
Forward Teena Wickett
On being back after sitting out two years
"So far it has been good. I have been trying to find my way back. In the New Mexico game I was a little nervous, but I am nervous before every game, but more so the New Mexico game because that was my first game after two years. I was nervous but my team and coaches had my back. As the game went on I got into and started playing my game."
On rebounding
"The coaches always say to crash the boards, even in practice. I figured we weren't crashing the boards enough on the offensive end and the defensive end, so I figured it was my duty to crash the boards if I don't see anybody else crashing."
Samford Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Mike Morris
On their performance against Texas Tech
"The first half was good the second half was bad. That about sums it up. Our team was ready to play. I thought we got off to a good start, obviously with some back cuts and layups. I thought our effort was very good and we were excited to play. Obviously, it is a tremendous atmosphere here and a lot of tradition in women's basketball. It is one of the reasons we scheduled teams like this, to see that. I was really pleased with the way we came out and responded to that. Texas Tech is a good team with a lot of good players, so we knew they would respond in the second half. We didn't do as good of a job against the zone, against the pressure we had. Obviously, we had some bad turnovers and missed some shots that we have to make to make a run against a team like this."
On their offense
"We do. That is our offense, we spread it out. We usually put five shooters out there and get a lot of back cuts. That is what we do from an offensive standpoint. We spend a lot of time on it in practice, running that against the man defense. That is something that we do, and we have to get some of those. Some teams try to take those off, and we have to make shots from the three, but that is definitely our offense."
On Tech adjusting
"I thought the biggest adjustment, in terms of what they tried to do to us offensively, is just change defenses. I think they went to their full court press, and it slowed us down and then stayed in the zone and the half court, particularly on makes. It was a change of pace and a change of rhythm, which it did. They can cover a lot of ground, so I thought that was the biggest change they made which was a big change in the game."
