Missouri 86, Solna Vikings 46 - Exhibition Game
11/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2002
Missouri 86, Solna (Sweden) 46 10 November 2002 Columbia, Mo.
Missouri head coach Cindy Stein On the game: "I thought we came out and were really nervous in the first half. We obviously stepped it up in the second half. I feel generally good about the level of play. We obviously exposed some weaknesses, such as post defense, that we have to get a little better with."
On shot selection: "I thought we took a lot of good shots. We missed some early, but it got better as the game went on. We were kind of weak down low; we missed a lot of bunnies under the basket. We're going to improve that the next game."
On seeing the new players in a game situation: "There were things that I saw that were both good and bad. From some of the girls I saw things I'd never seen before, which weren't good. There were some other things I saw that were very good, and I think a lot of it had to do with getting out in a crowd and playing someone else. Sometimes their focus gets wrapped up in 'what am I doing and where do I need to be?' and they lose track of the fundamentals."
On MU's defense: "Our defense was very good the second half, and that's something we're stressing right now-for us to be an excellent team and to achieve our goals. We know defense will be the way for us to get there."
Missouri senior guard Kerensa Barr On Missouri's second-half defensive improvement: "I think Coach Stein challenged us at halftime to really step our defense up. Everyone picked it up in the second half; Melanie (Fisher) really stepped up, made some big plays, and it carries over for everyone else. I think we responded well to Coach Stein's challenge."
On Missouri's free throw shooting: "I wasn't surprised we made all those because if we miss them in practice, Coach Stein makes us run."
On what MU needs to work on: "One thing we need to work on that definitely showed in the first half is our transition defense. They kind of hurt us on that in the first half. We talked about it at halftime just to make sure everyone was running the floor and getting back to their spots. That's one thing we need to work on; I'm sure we'll watch the film, and the coaches will find more for us to work on."
Missouri junior forward Stretch James On playing in front of a Hearnes Center crowd for the first time: "It was very exciting getting out there and playing in front of all the fans. They're very supportive."
