Postgame Quotes vs. Clemson
12/12/2009 7:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Chattanooga Basketball
Postgame Notes
Chattanooga 69, Clemson 56
McKenzie Arena - Chattanooga, Tenn.
Dec. 12, 2009
Chattanooga
Head Coach Wes Moore<br>On hitting free throws:
"First half, we only shoot three and hit one of them, so it wasn't looking good. Thought we would be having another early morning session again. But, ended up 18 of 21, and a lot of those were down the stretch when you had a little bit of a cushion and you didn't want them to get back in the game. Our kids did a great job of stepping of and knocking them down. So, obviously free throws were a big factor tonight."
On rebounding:
"Well, you're right. They have some post players that can really ride you under the rim and come up with some rebounds, or go over you or go around. They have athletes that can jump over you and go get them [rebounds]. We really stressed that this was going to be a game where we were to do a great job of delivering a blow and keep them pushed out. For the most part, we did a really good job."
On Jenya Wade-Fray's 27 points:
"We don't win this game without Jenya [Wade-Fray]. Just told her there were going to be nights when you aren't hitting 5 out of 9 threes, but you can still help this team with defense, rebounding, and hustle plays. Sometime when shoots aren't going, you have tendencies to hang your head and that affects your play on the other end. She's not going to score 27 every night, but Jenya can be a factor for us every night."
On the course of the game:
"Felt like grabbing the microphone at halftime and apologizing to everyone. That was the ugliest, most boring half of basketball. I told the team at halftime that that was boring. They went into the zone, and we stood around. We didn't attack it, we didn't look to move the ball quick enough to make the zone move some or get someone out of position. We did try a little different zone offense in the second half. It was nice to see us get the high-low look early against them from Erin Helton to Shanara [Hollinquest]. Mostly, it was the kids. They were a little more aggressive and got to the foul line more. At some point against the zone, you have to hit a shot and we did.
On the team's improvement:
"I don't know. We still are making tons of mistakes, and we still have break downs. We are fortunate that we had a little bit of a cushion tonight, and so a break down or two didn't cost us. We still have a long way to go. We have kids that are very talented, but we can't trust them to do what they are supposed to do. A lot of that is youth. Hopefully, we can get them more time on the court to go down on the mistake. We have a lot of talent on the bench that can help us down the road."
On the three-game homestand
"It wasn't a pretty game by any means, but it is a BCS school and they had beaten South Carolina earlier in the season. It's a good win for our program. No doubt that this homestand was critical for us. We needed some good vides and get our mojo back. Winning three games in a row will give us a little confidence. This team is young and the road games worry you. We got two big ones this week, conference games on the road before we head home for Christmas. So, it is going to be important for us to hang in here. I told the freshmen that I know you miss mommy and you want to go shopping, but hang in here one more week. Stay focused and try to play well these last two games."
On ACC opponents:
"Nothing to it Shulman, come on man. Georgia Tech men are ranked in the top 25 the last time I looked, I don't know if they still are. They have a big challenge and big game. Hope people come out. It is tough on the men's side to get an ACC team to come to a mid-major school. I hope people come and make it a great evironment, and hope the guys can get it done."
Sernior Guard Jenaya Wade-Fray
On the second half:
"Coach [Wes] Moore was telling me to attack. When I saw the ball go into the hoop, it certainly made me feel good and I just kept on going. I think we are starting to play more as a team, starting to get along and getting more shots."
On realizing that there are not that many people that can stop you and your drive to the base line:
"Yeah, I guess in a way. Usually, if my threes are not falling I will attack the basket and try to work my way back out."
Senior Forward Shanara Hollinquest
On getting a win over Clemson:
"It's great. The coaches are super happy, so that is good for us. It is good for our team. We are finally pushing over the hump, instead of getting stuck at it. Coach [Wes] Moore said that they didn't like to box out. They just try to out jump you, so go to the boards and it will come, so we kept going and they kept coming."
On the confidence you get from winning a game like tonight:
"The game gives us a lot of confidence because we played some tough games at the begining of the season and we couldn't really win. Now, we are starting to settle down and get our team together."
