Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech vs. #18/17 Oklahoma Postgame Quotes
March 05, 2011 | Women's Basketball
March 5, 2011
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2010-11 Texas Tech Women's Basketball
Lady Raiders vs. Oklahoma (United Spirit Arena, Lubbock, Texas)
March 5, 2011
Texas Tech Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Kristy Curry
On Tech's performance
"I am so incredibly proud of these kids. They don't quite understand what that feeling is like, but I will probably sleep better tonight than I have in five years because that was the mission coming in - to make sure we get this program back to where we want it to be and consistently in the NCAA tournament. There have been so many kids in the last five years that have played a big part in this, and those kids in that locker room that have believed so much in what we are doing and how we are trying to do it. I am just happy for the kids, so they can experience what that is like and know that is what you are supposed to do."
On what changed in the second half
"To hold them to 21 points in the second half and then to hold (Aaryn) Ellenberg to two points in the second half, I thought we gave her too much, easy. She had a couple of tough shots the first half, but just to control (Danielle) Robinson's penetration. I know we didn't get a lot in her zone press, but we kept her out of the paint and kept her from coming off the high ball a lot. It was just so many little things that contributed and the way the players found a way to defend down the stretch was so important."
Guard Casey Morris
On potentially making it to the NCAA Championship
"It feels good. I think we have the capability of doing it every year, and I know we have had it since the beginning of this year. I think we knew we were going to be special, and we just have to continue to play hard."
Forward Teena Wickett
On her senior season
"In the beginning it was tough to come back in and get into the game. I sat out two years and it was tough, just finishing layups and getting back into shape. Once all that came about, I think it was easier. Playing with these girls is fun. I love them, and they are like my little sisters. It's going to be hard to leave them, but I think it was a good year for all of us."
Guard Monique Smalls
On her mindset against Oklahoma
"Just having an attack mindset. To just keep going at them, and when I go at them dish it out to Casey (Morris) and the post players for easy shots."
On going into the postseason with a win
"It feels great because its like this season is over now. So, now we are starting a new season in the postseason. Our goal now is to get to the championship."
Oklahoma Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Sherri Coale
On what changed in the second half
"We couldn't make shots. We were 0-10 in the second half from the three-point line and shot 20 percent from the field. We have to make baskets. You can't win this game if you don't make baskets."
On the freshmen stepping up
"We might have had zero points if they hadn't. I thought Nicole (Griffin) really battled inside. She did some good things. She made some tough catches and strong finishes against physical play. Aaryn Ellenberg, of course, carried us in the first half. She was unbelievable in the first half. She couldn't get one to go in the second, but she was still the leading scorer. So, they were great."
On Tech's performance
"I thought Tech did a great job. I think they are definitely an NCAA tournament team, and I don't know of anybody that wants to play them in Kansas City either."
Guard Aaryn Ellenberg
On her performance against Tech
"I just have to knock shots down, but so do the rest of us."
On Tech performance
"Every team that comes out to play us comes to fight. They know we are a really good team, and they could gain something from beating us. Tech came out fighting, and we should have fought back better."
Center Nicole Griffin
On what Oklahoma takes away from the loss
"We know what we need to work on. We need to value the basketball a lot more. We just couldn't make our shots. We played hard the whole game, we just need to make shots and value the basketball."
