POSTGAME QUOTES
Chattanooga vs. Northern Kentucky
Chattanooga, Tenn. | The McKenzie Arena
Saturday, November 22, 2025

Head Coach Deandra Schirmer:

Opening Statement
I feel like it's no secret to our players, our fans, to all of our supporters, that we really needed this one. We've had a lot of games where we're figuring it out and it hasn't come out on the right end of it. And we've talked a lot about as a staff on finding the grace to let them grow and learn and have their own process to it.

On final stop on defense and getting back on track as a team
"I couldn't be more proud as the defensive coach. You know, we want to be on defense to get the stop, to win the game, I am just really proud of this group and their resiliency because, you know, we were on a three-game losing streak and it was a quick turnaround. We played on Thursday. We had one day of prep and this team showed me something today, and that's we're going to be exactly where we want to be come tournament time because they have what it takes to be champions."

On only allowing two points in the opening seven minutes of the first quarter after not defending how they wanted to in previous games
"I think that when you're teaching something new, it's hard when it's not working, and you're like, no, stick with it. If we do a better job of doing our job, it's going to work. And so for us to see the results right there in in the first quarter of, oh, no, if we do our jobs, if we collect role, we've got two on the back side. If we talk, we will get to a point where our defense will be stout. And we're still not there. We still had, I felt like in the first a lot of wide open layups off of busted coverage, but I do think that we're starting to turn a corner a little bit."

Izzy McPherson, R-Fr., G

On how it felt to make the game-winning shot with 29 seconds left
"It felt really good for my confidence just to be able to hit that shot for my teammates and just to seal out the game like that felt great," . 

Caia Elisaldez, Jr., G

On the highs and lows of a season
"I think the journey's the best part. I feel like the fact that we're going through these highs and lows with each other is what helps you build the bonds that you have beyond these four years. So I think us going through these times, we may not remember all the wins and losses, but we're going to remember every film session that Coach D had us dance or just anything that we do that brought us together cause at the end of the day, like, as much as the game is amazing and it's fun, it's each other. That's the biggest part of this."