Postgame Quotes
Chattanooga, Tenn. | McKenzie Arena
December 30, 2025
Final: Chattanooga 97, Southern Wesleyan (SC) 46

Head Coach Deandra Schirmer
Opening Statement
"I was very proud of our team this week on how we came back from Christmas. We had a two-a-day, the first day back, and they came back and they were as focused as ever. I was really proud of our preparation going into this game. I think that when you hit shots, it cures a lot of things. I think that we had a great defensive game plan going into this game, and I think the girls were bought into it. I just don't think we had good execution. I think if we have that kind of defensive effort in our conference, we're not going to win a lot of games. So as much as I'm happy to see us hit shots, and I know the fans are happy to see us hit shots, we're not going to be able to survive if we don't start playing better defense."

On what was missing on the defensive end tonight
"We talk a lot about defending as five, and I feel like we were leaving people on islands and just 1v1 defending the entire game. And even though it's called man-to-man, we talk about how man-to-man should resemble a zone. I feel like we are way too consumed on our individual matchup instead of what is happening. I feel like they only had eight assists on the night, so a lot of times the ball was scoring, and I just feel like we didn't do a good enough job at making sure A, to have 1v1 containment downhill, but then also B, to make sure that we have our second and third line of defense there ready. So it was more have an awareness of what our jobs were and if we were off the ball, not just guarding our man and being in La La Land."

On Frode Flos van der Schans and Falon Bedke
"Flo played the least amount of minutes tonight. I'm looking at, you know, Flo and Falon giving up minutes to make sure that they're teammates are coming along that are in their position. And I just want to say that I am so humbled and blessed to coach a team like that that has players like Flo, has players like Falon, players like the two here, all of our players in that locker room that all they care about is doing what the team needs to win and what we need to to develop. And that is rare in today's day and age. So Flo is an unsung hero for today's game, and I wanted to make sure I made a point of saying that."

Kalifa Ford, Gr., Guard
On what she has learned during non-conference play about this team
"I've learned during non-conference play that this team is resilient. I mean, the amount of games we've had to come back from, and to be able to come in tonight and our defense wasn't good, but to be able to make shots and build our confidence so that we know that we can drive and get the kick or whatever teams want to throw at us offensively, we can make those plays for each other."

On how she feels about playing in upcoming SoCon games after missing last season with an injury
I'm very excited. And I talked to you last year, and it's like as you sit, you can watch and see what other teams do, who they're bringing in the next year and things like that, and be confident. See what they bring and then also being confident in seeing what, you know, I would bring as a player to the game. And one thing I feel like I've gotten better, even before coming here is my defense, being able to read certain things and being able to provide, some type of energy on that end of the court. And so, going into this, we watch film on every team we play, and we recap every time we play a game. And so, and I feel like, honestly, once we go and recap this game, see what we did wrong, I think we could honestly make the change and go into the conference more confident."

Izzy McPherson, R-Fr., Guard
On tonight's performance and what this team's ceiling is
"Hitting shots, it feels great. Like, maybe we were at our best offensively, but defensively was nowhere near that. So, I think once we do get there, we can be very good, very scary. It's our goal to be champions."

On having Falon Bedke as a teammate
It's amazing. She is always, like, the best defender on the court, and we always say she comes in saving the day with her charges all the time and her resilience on the boards. It's amazing. I love Falon."

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