Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech vs. American
November 27, 2010 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 27, 2010
Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery 
2010-11 Texas Tech Women's Basketball
Lady Raiders vs. American (United Spirit Arena, Lubbock, Texas)
Nov. 27, 2010
Texas Tech Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Kristy Curry
On having a good start
"We got off to a great start, and anytime you can set the tone early you can really feed off that type of energy, and I thought we did a good job there starting the game. Obviously, we tried to play a lot of different combinations and keep our minutes down for tomorrow, but it is good to be able to play those young kids. It's just at times when you try to play that many people it's hard to get into a rhythm, but that is part of it when you have 15 players."
On having a slow start at the beginning of the second half
"We did, but instead of focusing on the negative I thought there were many more positives, and we found away, a little bit into the half, to do some good things. Maybe two minutes in and then we are able to play that next group so it is more about, right now, when you get your minutes and making the most of them. We were able to spread those minutes out today to where, hopefully, tomorrow wouldn't be a problem, legs wise."
On being challenged
"I think we do. I don't sit around thinking about that as much as I think about it's about Texas Tech, it's about what we need to do, and how we need to be. As we continue to grow into our schedule we are going to see different types of teams tomorrow. Sam Houston wins by 20 at North Texas and had a great second half last night. They are very good, and they have a chance to win their league this year. So, we are going to have to be at the top of our game and then come back with a good UTSA team that's been in the tournament two out of three years. Then turn around and go to Penn State and from here it just gets a little bit more difficult. So, we will have to continue to grow and improve, and it just comes down to mistakes. We were obviously able to make fewer than they were tonight. I think their difficulties were at a different level than ours were."
Guard Monique Smalls
On the defensive performance
"I think it is because we have more depth now to give everyone a break. We go hard for five minutes, then get a break and then go hard for another five minutes."
On having a slow start at the beginning of the second half
"I think it was at some points because we let up and we relaxed, but I think we finally figured out we can't do that anymore. We have to keep playing hard like this team is."
Guard Casey Morris
On the defensive performance
"I think it helps that everyone is really athletic. A lot of people are really versatile, and we are really long. I think we have a long front end to play defense, and we get out in the passing lanes, we are really disciplined with that. I think we are doing better each game with defense."
On playing a full-court press
"For anybody, I think getting pressure and they have to rush more and they have more to think about. They have to think quicker than they would if we were in a half-court defense, and I think with the pressure that we bring it really helps with making people get out of their comfort zone."
On being able to play both full and half court press
"I think it is good that we know we can do either one and stop teams. It depends on what strength the team has and depending on that, how good they are doing in the first half and when they first start, we can switch it up."
