Marquette University Athletics
Marquette 77, Sacred Heart 55
11/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 17, 2008
MILWAUKEE -
Head coach Terri Mitchell
On the team's unselfish play...
"I think we played incredibly unselfish tonight. They were all looking to make the extra pass and set each other up. In particular, I thought Krystal just really had the mindset to get other people open. She was not concerned about her scoring, and that's just a great leader, a great senior who understands the game of basketball is more than scoring. Her concern is what's best for her team, and tonight she was trying to set her teammates up. I just loved the fact that we distribute the ball so well and our defense really stepped up the second half. When you keep a team to a 27% shooting, that just shows you the intensity that we wouldn't let down. It's a long season, and its important that we remember that defense is what we need to keep in mind all the time."
On the importance of maintaining intensity throughout the game...
"There are ups and downs in every game. There are times when teams are going to make a run at you. It is how you respond to those runs that are most important. So, it's composure. I think our team had a lot of poise, and when Sacred Heart made a run, they just stuck with the game plan, which was running hard. They were reversing the ball inside out, and looking for opportunities."
On Jessica Pachko's solidified starting position?...
"I think we have seven or eight people who could start right now, and that is a great position for us to be in. I think Jess is a really good starter, but that does not mean she'll start forever. Right now she is proving early that she has a presence in the paint. Bringing Paige off the bench and Georgie off the bench is working well for us. We are going to do whatever works. Lauren and Nelly go back and forth. I think Lauren started the game really strong, so I would think that's something I would continue to do with her right now. I think our team gets that while only five people can start, it's really who's playing well throughout the game that counts and who finishes the game well. Giving everyone experience is what I am trying to do now."
On the importance of playing well on the road...
"It's extremely important. It takes something extra to win on the road. You have to have a mental focus. You have to have a unity and a strength that no one can break, and you have to understand that if things don't go well, you rely on your defense. Your offense may come or go . You might not get calls you like, but your defense has to be solid. It's all about positioning and about pressure. We don't think two games on the road, we just think one so our focus is on Indiana State and what we need to do to win there."
Senior guard Krystal Ellis
On her unselfish play...
"My shot wasn't really falling, so I figured I would give my teammates opportunities and they were scoring. We had two newcomers who scored more than half our points, so that was a good thing. I wasn't really worried about it."
On her maturation over four years of playing and of eight assists on the night...
"I think I have realized that I will do whatever to make us win. If I can't score, then there is going to be something else I can do to help the team. Today was giving out assists to my teammates, and I think that helped."
