Washington vs. San Francisco Post-Game Quotes
December 20, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 20, 2002
Women's Basketball vs San Francisco 12/20/02
Coach June Daugherty
On performance: "I thought we looked sharp coming off of a thirteen day down period. Defensively, we're looking for attention to detail and I thought that for the most part the team really took care of business. San Francisco's the type of team that can penetrate and get to the line a lot; we didn't want that to happen. They're a team that has been hanging around an awful lot; they played Stanford and BYU to two point games, so we knew what they were capable of. I thought our depth really wore them down."
On more intense defense: "We asked our perimeter people to apply a lot more pressure on the basketball. The other thing is that we're trying to trap more out of it depending on the team and what their strengths are. I think our rotations are a lot better, so all the way around I think you're seeing a lot more pressure in our 1-2-2."
On lack of intensity early: "The first time out we addressed it. I think it was the result of a few too many days off from a game. What's good about this group is they go out there, they're focused and they want to play great basketball as a team, so they got back out there and got it done. We missed a rotation defensively, one of our post players did not get there for a charge and that was part of our game plan. She saw it, but she didn't get down to take it. We have to have our starting five set the tone. They have to get in there and play it for all their worth. The team took the timeout to heart, went back out there and really picked it up."
General comments: "It was a big difference from last year. Last year it was a turnover festival down there for both teams. The difference was that defensively we were getting into passing lanes, making steals, and converting. The bench played great for us tonight. Autry, Gio, those guys came in and took it to a different level tonight and really supplied some great basketball on both ends."
On upcoming game: "We have one big game in front of us and it feels good to get this one behind us. We know Iowa State will be a whole different ball club coming in here on Sunday afternoon. It's a huge game for us; we certainly respect them, and their team, and what they've done. The past few years they've just been incredible and we're really going to have to be ready to get down a play. It's going to be a great battle."
Guard Giuliana Mendiola
On improved defense: "I think the coaches have stressed it a lot more. I thought our ball pressure in the first half was a little shaky. I just think what we went through last year wasn't what we wanted and so we've resolved to play hard and defensively we knew we had to improve. We did improve in it and we will keep on improving."
On what needs improvement: "I think we gave up too many offensive rebounds in the first half, but we need to improve in all areas. We know that Iowa State's going to be a tough team, if we don't come out ready to play defense, they're going to beat us."
Guard Loree Payne
On Autrey's performance: "Emily was running the floor and that's one of the things that Emily does best; getting down and beating her girl down the floor and making lay-ups. I think she really showed a lot of her athleticism tonight. She was huge defensively because she got steal after steal; she did a great job off the bench and really got us going. We know what Emily's capable of, she can come off the bench and score 23 points and grab 8 boards. We have a lot of confidence in her, whether she's starting or coming off the bench."
On long break: "It's definitely a test to come back after that big of a layoff. We had a lot of practices and some of them were a concern, but for the most part everyone was really, really eager to play. When you have that fire and you're so sick of playing and beating up on each other, so you're ready, you're fired up to go play against someone else."
Forward Emily Autrey
On playing a top team again: "We've improved a lot since out trip to Lubbock, but I think it'll be a good challenge for us to play against a team that is ranked and is one of the top teams in the country. I'm looking forward to testing ourselves."
On being a spark off the bench: "I'm trying to be a spark when I come into the game and trying to get the energy up. I try to anticipate the passing lanes and things like that in order to bring energy to the court. It's important that when the starters aren't in the game that the intensity doesn't drop, it actually should pick up."
