Washington vs. USC Post-Game Quotes
March 09, 2003 | Women's Basketball
March 9, 2003
2003 Pac-10 Tournament
USC vs. Washington
Postgame Quotes
Saturday, March 8
Washington
Head Coach June Daugherty
"I'm a firm believer that the first game in a tournament is always the hardest. We are excited about getting this win. USC certainly gave us a huge challenge today. Giuliana Mendiola was the glue - she kept hitting those big shots and kept us going. I really loved our defense, the experience of our defense. When you see a senior like Kellie Dalan step up and take a big charge late in the game - that was the ball game."
"USC really mixed it up defensively. We weren't exactly on fire from the three-point line, but they just made really tough shots on the other end. We had to settle down and stop that penetration and start rotating to help. When we were able to do that, we got back into the game and got a little momentum ourselves."
"[All games] are big at this point in the postseason. We're excited to play whomever. It's tournament time and anything can happen. Whomever it is, we'll be ready."
"The ends of the arena are not filled in, so it's very different from any other background we've seen all year. The thing is that you need to get a game under your belt to get used to it. We'll be fine tomorrow."
Junior Giuliana Mendiola
"USC is a great team. They play physical, and I like that style of play. They play so hard, they play tough defense and our team just likes to step up and take that challenge."
Senior Loree Payne
"USC is a very physical team. They were crashing the boards and we were getting beat in the beginning. Our team really stepped up to the challenge. It was really key when we got in there and got to the boards."
"Obviously I knew my threes weren't falling and I think Giuliana was making a lot of great passes. The layup is easier than the three, even though I sometimes try to shoot the three first. You get your rhythm going once you get inside and get a couple of closer shots."
Junior Andrea Lalum
"Ebony Hoffman is a great player. I have a lot of respect for her. These are games we definitely look forward to playing because we both matchup so well against each other. It's a great matchup and it will continue through our senior year. I love being able to play against her. It makes us both better."
