Post-Game Quotes
November 10, 2007 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2007
Washington vs. Kansas State Post-Game Quotes
UW HEAD COACH Tia Jackson
On what went wrong in opening minutes...
"They came out and did what we thought they would do. They are a three-point shooting team and they hit a couple three's right off the bat. We didn't think there was going to be a 6-footer behind the arch. Kimberly Dietz is a very good player and we made some changes on her. For the most part we dropped the lead to nine points in the first half and we felt good about that. We went in on a good note going into half time. This was definitely not the start that we wanted. We are a very excited team though and this is a good lesson for us."
On starting game with too much excitement...
"We weren't too excited; we just need to take care of the ball better. There was carelessness on our part absolutely. Even still at the start of the game we think that we still have a chance. It's not ever about looking at the game as a whole. We look at it in parts; we want to win every four minute possession. Things like that will keep us looking at the game inside of the game. At the end of the game we caused five turnovers in our 55 press was awesome. That is a good positive note to go out on for us."
On making adjustments during the game...
"As far as what we learned in this game I think we are continuing to grow. Everyday is a new step in the right direction for us. We did a lot of good things, although the outcome is not what we wanted. In that game we did a lot of good things, and we are looking forward to the progression of our team."
On Washington's inside game...
"They were sagging some, but we just wanted to let the outside know that the weak side options were there. I think we got some looks that we wanted and we needed to make them."
UW SENIOR GUARD Emily Florence
On her performance in first half...
"Even if I miss my shots on offense I have to come back and stop the ball on defense. I definitely could have worked on that area of my game. I need to focus on getting the ball to my teammates and be an offensive player as well."
On getting a win for Coach Jackson...
"We were all definitely excited and wanted to win for Coach Jackson and do it for each other. We are all hard workers and young. We are excited and we have a long run ahead of us."
On Shalee Lehning...
"She is absolutely great. I think we learned a lot from this game; we could have contained her a lot better. We also could have boxed out more because she crashes the boards hard."
On difficulty of defending K-State...
"There were times that we did defend them well; they are just a great team. We knew what they were going to do, we scouted them well. We were ready for that. A different day could have been a different outcome. I think we can play with anybody and they are a good team. They have good guards and good posts that can do anything. They're athletic but I thought we boxed out well."
KANSAS STATE HEAD COACH DEB PATTERSON
Opening statement...
"That's an exciting season opener for us to get a win against a quality program like Washington. It means a great deal to this basketball team. (They're) obviously a very solid squad with a lot of size and great shooters at Washington. I was just pleased overall with the fact that I felt we defended at such a high level over the course of the game, particularly in the second half. We wanted to step it up on the defensive end. I liked a lot of the responses that our team brought to the floor today over the course of the game. They were very open and very responsive to making adjustments and I thought (they) executed well. (It was) a great first game of the season for us. I think the defense provided a lot of momentum for us early in that basketball game. It got our mindset aggressive, and then physically we were converting well. I think, just in general, the first eight to 11 minutes of the basketball game, I was very pleased that we were finding ways to create some `easy baskets.' We were making quality conversions. I think that was important to making a statement early with Washington and make them have to work to climb out of a hole."
On K-State's defense providing momentum...
"I think, no matter who we play, that would be a priority for us. If we can jump on somebody, it's just to our advantage all the way around. We're not necessarily thinking anything except how to compete in the game. No matter what it is we're looking to bring to the floor, and I think by and large, we can be more successful as a basketball team when we're more aggressive. I like the fact that we're learning early in the season to be the asserters."
On Shalee Lehning's game...
"I think she was phenomenal. I think that something both Lehning and (Kimberly) Dietz established on the perimeter right from the get-go was that we were going to be very good, solid defensively and aggressive. Everything that Dietz and Lehning brought early in that basketball game was what great players bring. They both continue to compete at that level the entire game. Their numbers were tremendous, but more than anything, I just think the manner in which they competed in that game really put us in position to win. They're just two phenomenal perimeter players that brought their very best game to the floor."
On getting touches in the post...
"In the first half, I didn't feel as though we were getting our posts the number of touches we had hoped to get early in the game. Dietz was getting to the line. Lehning was getting to the rim, and Dietz was getting to the rim. We were getting some touches but not at the level I think that over the course of the game we had hoped we would get and ultimately get. What I liked about our team tonight was we went through that drought where we weren't getting the ball in the paint and getting post touches. When we got a couple early in the first half, we weren't adjusting well to their physical style of play. But everyone made the adjustment. Shana Wheeler came in and got very athletic and made the adjustment. Marlies (Gipson) made the adjustment, created some space, made some short 5-6 footers. Ashley (Sweat) got more agile. So I just felt like, overall, that I was pleased with was the fact that our post players were willing to change how they played over the course of the game. And I think they were different players in the first half than the second half, and they were better in the second half."
On the play of the freshmen...
"I was really pleased with the play of our freshmen. I thought that, when they had their opportunity on the floor, they stepped up well. Jackie (Stanley) learned a few lessons tonight, particularly in dealing with a big, strong physical player and learning how to play against that kind of size."
KANSAS STATE JUNIOR GUARD SHALEE LEHNING
On her performance...
"Everybody did a good job tonight, and it just happened that some lanes opened for me tonight. I had some turnovers tonight, so I obviously have some room for improvement."
On the style they want to play...
"Whenever we get the chance to run we are going to do it. We just take so much pride in our defense that when we get steals, we are going to run and push the ball as much as we can. I definitely think that is something Kansas State does. Defensively we are definitely working on pressure, and becoming one of those teams that can extend offenses out and get them uncomfortable. It's a work in progress of having our defense become an offense for us, and tonight it did."
KANSAS STATE SENIOR GUARD KIMBERLY DIETZ
On her first three point basket...
"Whenever we get open shots, it is always good to get out early and jump on them fast, so it was a great start for the game."
KANSAS STATE JUNIOR FORWARD MARLIES GIPSON
On her trust in her teammates...
"It gives me more confidence just knowing that I have a partner in there, and knowing if I'm not open I have my teammate to for, and know confidently that they will hit it down."
