Quotes
December 17, 2000 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 17, 2000
Postgame Quotes
Washington vs. St. Mary's
December 17, 2000
Washington 73, St. Mary's 61
Washington Head Coach: June Daugherty
(General Remarks): "We were able to force them into taking difficult shots. Forced them to get a lot of travel calls. Crowded them and forced them to shoot difficult shots. The entire front line did a great job forcing them down behind the backboard, forcing them to take tough shots or travel. We were able to contain them and not let them get going. They average a lot of points and what scared me is how well they rebound. We had a balanced attack offensively. We had close to five people in double figures. Everybody played that was healthy. We got some great contributions off the bench. We hit some big three point shots tonight when they started to make a run. Kellie O'Neil had one, Jill Pimley had one off the glass right before the half. That's good to see for us, that's something that we're trying to improve on. We tried to go inside out more with this team. The front line felt like they could get into good position. For the most part, we were able to get the ball inside first and test their defense."
(On the defense): "I didn't think we rebounded the second half. We put them to the foul line too early in the second half. That hurt us on the ability to really put them away. We did have to go to our zone a little bit because of our foul trouble. But we're getting better."
(On Jill Pimley): "Yes, Jill Pimley scored high tonight. She constantly gives the ball up to set the screen. She dives on the floor and comes up with the big rebounds. There have been five games so far that Jill has been involved in some crucial plays. Her hustle and leadership is just something that is so important to us. She's working hard."
(On Giuliana Mendiola): "She's a freshman and we're asking her to play the one, two and three. She's getting more and more comfortable at this level. She's done a good job at making good decisions. Late in the game she was able to use to clock to our advantage. I am pleased with her progression."
Washington Guard Megan Franza
(On Improved Rebounding): "That is something that I have been working on all week in practice and for the last four years really. I knew I had a couple at the half and the coaches were pretty excited and told me to keep going at it. I have been working at it hard in practice, to get up there and get boards. At the half, we knew we were out-rebounding them. We knew that was what was keeping us in there, that and our defense."
(On Time Off): I think the layoff was actually good for us. We had finals and that is always a stressful time for the team and for the girls. We took a couple of days totally off, where we had no basketball practice and just did weights and shooting individually. It was a good time for us to have a break. We only have three days off during Christmas, so it was good for us to get a break."
Washington Forward LeAnn Sheets
(On Physical Play): "I thought they were a really aggressive team. They really wanted to play offense and get the rebounds. They weren't really the biggest team but they were fit and muscular. They definitely came ready to play today."
Washington Guard Giuliana Mendiola
(On Aggressive Play): "I think all teams on this level are aggressive. I expect to get bumped around a little each game. But I think our team is going a lot better job of getting in there and getting physical. I am proud of our team in that aspect."
(On Getting Used to College Play): "I am getting used to playing with my teammates, and getting used to what they like to do. And I try to get them in position to score or whatever they need. I am just willing to go out there and do what I have to do to get us the win. Whatever the coaches ask me, I am willing to do it. If that means it is more rebounding we need, then I will do it. I am just really excited for this year because I think this team can go far."
Washington Guard Jill Pimley
(On her shooting): "I think anybody who watched the game will say that a few of them were a little lucky, like the banked three pointer. I am trying to look to shoot at least a couple of times a game. If a few go in, fine, but I expect most of my points to come from free throws like they have in the past. Tonight I shot a lot of free throws, so I think that is where the bulk of my points came from. I realize that it will open up things for my teammates if I take a few shots now and then, especially from the inside."
(Keys to game): "They had 30 turnovers, and a ton of them were from traveling. We knew that their posts put the ball on the floor a lot and that a big key would be for our guards to dig down. We didn't do that as well as we had hoped, but I think our posts did a better job moving their feet when playing a quicker post. I think that is what caused the traveling turnovers. We also tried to put pressure on them and pick up on defense."
(On St. Mary's): "We knew that they would hustle a lot and at that they were great rebounders. We are disappointed that they outrebounded us, but it was only by one. We knew they were hard on boards and got a lot of points from their post players. We got them in foul trouble tonight and our post players definitely shut them down and played better offense than they did. We were expecting a good team to come out, and they did. I think they got a little rattled by the turnovers, mostly traveling and errant passes. They played well despite missing some key players. But you have to give them a lot of respect."
(On team confidence): "I think this team is a lot more cohesive than last year's team. We have worked really hard every game and in shows in our rebounding. We try to stick together more and give each other confidence. It also gives you more confidence when you are getting wins."
St. Mary's Head Coach Michelle Jacoby
(General Remarks): "Well, Jermisha (Dosty) and Jerkisha (Dosty) didn't play up to our expectations. Washington did a tremendous job of hitting down their shots. They were 33 percent from the three-point line. They took very good shots. We just let them play."
(On the 30 turnovers): "That was us and the calls. They weren't doing anything special to us that we haven't seen before. It was our mistake and we'll go back to the drawing board and iron those things out. When you have 30 turnovers and your post players are getting the most turnovers, that is something you have to take care of immediately."
(On playing against Pac-10 teams): "We have played three quality Pac-10 teams (Stanford, Oregon State, UW). Washington has good three-point shooters. I think Washington has a solid inside game and they (post players) do more away from the basket as opposed to Oregon State's post players, they will play with their back to the basket. It is a true post game when you are dealing with post kids who go out of the perimeter. You are dealing with jump shots, you are dealing with distance away from the basket. Our Pac-10 teams are the strongest opponents on our schedule. That is why we play those games, to get that kind of competition and get ready for conference."
