Postgame Quotes
Georgia Southern at Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tenn.  - McKenzie Arean
Jan. 28, 2012

Chattanooga Head Coach John Shulman
On the final 12 minutes:
"I'd have to watch the tape. I know we gave up some offensive boards during that time. We had to play small at that time. We played the game without Jahmal and Z, so we had to play small. They took advantage of us and did a good job on the offensive boards. They drove us and drove us and drove us. They beat us."

On if he's ever been a part of a losing stretch like this:
"That's what I told our team. I've never been a part of this. I've never been a part of it; they've never been a part of it so we might as well learn together. We'll work through it together. We are a together team and a together unit. Most teams when they lose, they separate. We aren't separating. We keep on coming back. We keep on battling."

On the play of his bench:
"Rico played really good and Jared is getting better. Lance had to once again step into a really tough situation and Drew Baker did a great job off the bench."

On defensive play in the second half:
"We were probably a little fatigued. We didn't have our normal rotation because we had two guys out. We played with great energy in the first half but when you see me trying to play zone and trying to figure some stuff out, that's a bad sign. It means we're just trying to get through it. We didn't have the same zip in the second half."

Senior Guard Keegan Bell
On the losing five straight:
"It's frustrating. There is really no more to say than that. All we can do is stay positive. I know people are getting tired of hearing that and tired of us saying it. Maybe sometimes we get tired of hearing it but all we can do is stay positive. We're going to go back to work and that's all we can do. It definitely stings a little bit. We were really rolling offensively. We were up sixteen and things were going well. Even in that stretch when we were up sixteen, we missed a lot of open shots. They just weren't going in. Ferguson getting three and getting a dunk; I thought that those were huge plays for them. When you give a talented team like them any life, it's just hard."

On his team's mindset:
"We're not doom and gloom down. People may think we should be but I think we're a dangerous team. The race on our side is still tight. If worst comes to worst and we have to win four games to go to the tournament, I know it's never been done in history, but we have a team that still believes. Even if no one else believes in us. We might be in that locker room and we may be down and mad and angry but we aren't down and out at all."

Georgia Southern Head Coach Charlton Young
On ever winning a game like this:
"I have won a couple, not as a coach. As a player, yes. I am happy that we won and we needed the game in the worst way. Everybody in this room knows my relationship with Chattanooga. It is a special place for me. John Shulman gave me a huge break winning a championship together. He was unbelieve tonight as a coach to be honest. We were fortunate to win the game. They did not have three post players. They had a great game plan. We knew that 'fire' was coming. We prepared for it, but I guess we couldn't simulate the energy, effort and technique that they played it with. They showed high hands. They fouled with their body. They really took us out of what we wanted to do, frustrated all of our posts. With them missing key post guys, to be brutally honest with you, we could not expose that because of John's 'fire' defense. In the second half, we decided to just spread the floor and try to set ball screens, try to get in the paint, force them to defend and throw it in there when we thought they were spread out. I say all of that...they did a tremendous job. Their kids were inspired and I was very impressed with what they did to us. I hate that one of us has to win and the other has to lose. Our program needed the game just as bad as they did. For that, I am happy that we won for our kids, university and administration that has entrusted me to rebuild Georgia Southern basketball."

Sophomore Guard Jelani Hewitt
On beating the buzzer for the victory:
"Talk about a dream come true. It was something that I dreamed about growing up, counting down three-two-one, and for that to actually happen. It is big. I am glad that I came through for my team. I would like to thank god. My teammate, Willie Powers, for believing in me. This is his last year, we want to send him out on a good note."

On the feeling in the huddle down 16 points with 12 minutes to go:
"Stay together, be tough, keep scrapping, keep fighting and that is what we did. Our freshman Jessi Prenell came in and gave us a lot of energy. Marvin Baynham gave us a lot of energy. We have to give it up to those guys."

On how the team came back:
"Defense. Defense, pushing the ball down and knocking down open shots, Willie Powers, Ben Drayton and me. Even Eric Ferguson game through for us at the end."