Chattanooga Men's Basketball - McKenzie Arena
Chattanooga 78 - Appalachian State 74 (OT)
Jan. 15, 2009
Chattanooga Head Coach John Shulman:
Opening Statement:
We had it all the way, (sarcasm) never a doubt in my mind. I am really proud of our kids for digging deep and finding it tonight. You want to have your A game every night and tonight we found a way to win a tight one. I commend our kids on that.”
How did the win at the Citadel affect morale tonight?
“When you are used to winning a close one you think you have to win all the close ones. I said at the time out, we have to get a stop, we don't have choice. We got enough stops, it was like poetry. It was fun, our kids deserved it tonight, but we need to keep on getting better.”
How does this win affect the team?
“It is funny how things change so quickly with a team. We are old people, but with kids things can just change instantly. They know we didn't play great, we just found a way to win. They know we have to continue to get better and we will.”
Can you describe how it is with one team on the rise being Chattanooga and another falling being Appalachian State?
“Its just one game at a time, we just look at the game at hand. We all have got to be playing well. Now it is important to win, but we really have to be playing well at the end of February and beginning of March for the conference. I really enjoy winning; I am a lot better dad, husband, and coach when I am winning, but we have to keep getting better. Appalachian State's coach (Houston Fancher) is positive all the time and they were down two games at Christmas too.”
What happened with tonight's game?
“The whole first half we couldn't guard them. We survived the first half and spent the halftime trying to figure out how to stop them. It is easy to win one when you are making shots. When you can defend when you are not making shots you are pretty good. At the end of the game we couldn't score, couldn't score, but we found a way to get a stop in there to turn the game around”
You talked the whole first month how different the team would be with a healthy Kevin Goffney how has he helped the team?
“He completes us, on the offensive end, the defensive end, and at the glass. He is a presence and is probably our best player, not to belittle any of the others they are great too. He is our most valuable guy even when he doesn't score.”
Chattanooga Players:
Opening Statement:
Keyron Sheard:
“Our defense showed a lot tonight. We still have a ways to go, but we could eventually be one of the best defensive teams in the country. We are more disciplined now then earlier in the season and we did well tonight.”
“We are all one and playing for each other. There are no little clicks and we make mistakes, but play together.”
What has the team learned from the past games and what will you learn from this one?
Nicchaeus Doaks:
“Just like any game, you learn from any game. We grew up after Wofford. No one likes to get beat on their home court. We studied the film and coach said we had some growing up to do, and we did.”
Appalachian Head Coach Houston Fancher:
Opening Statement:
“It was a great game, a great battle back and forth. There were a couple of crucial turnovers that opened the game up for us. We did play much better today then we have the past couple of games. We played hard I think, but not well. Chattanooga came out tonight played hard and really competed.”
How do you think tonight's game went looking at Chattanooga's record?
“I definitely think Goffney was the player of the game tonight. McDowell came out and made several bombs that were crucial for them. They are a strong team.”
What happened to Ryann Abraham (Appalachian State Player)?
“He got a rib injury. He can't twist from his trunk, as the result of some sort of muscle strain.”
