March 13, 2002

Recap?|? Final Stats?|? Notes

Missouri head coach Cindy Stein
On the last play: "We had three people that we wanted to get the ball in their hands. We had three options: Kerensa, Evan and Natalie. That's how the play was set up. We have not been in a close game all year, and it definitely showed that last possession, but we had opportunities to win it before that, so I don't want it to show that that possession killed us. We had free throws that were missed and shots that were missed, and there were some other opportunities, but there wasn't anybody else I'd rather have the ball than Natalie Bright."

On Alabama's LaNisha Cartwell: "I thought we played ... she got some terrific shots. But at times, we got too deep in the paint, our rotation wasn't quick. But other times our rotation was great and we trapped her. The kid's a great player."

On Missouri's season: "I'm really proud of these guys because a lot of teams would have given up a long time ago. But these guys kept with it, and they kept coming back with new energy and focus. I'm mad that we lost because I wanted it so much for the team because of that focus and practice, especially the last two days. They played a very good team and we were in a position to win, and that's the frustrating part."

"I really liked our movement on offense. I thought everybody was moving well without the ball. There's times where we hit lulls because everyone was looking tired, but at the same time we came back. Those are things that we haven't always done for 40 minutes, and I think that's huge going into next year. It's sad because Natalie's been such a huge part of our program. We'll all learn from this, but she won't get a chance to make up for it."

Missouri junior guard Kerensa Barr
On the game: "It makes you realize how important one free throw or a rebound, or not letting them have an offensive rebound, how important things like that are. It leaves you with kind of a hole in your stomach. They always tell us to take a couple of weeks off after the season's over, and that's probably the hardest thing to do because you just feel like you missed out on something. Hopefully this will help us become better people and better basketball players."

Missouri senior Natalie Bright
On her career: "I loved playing here for four years. It went by really fast. I know I've been part of a great tradition, and hopefully this team can build up in the next couple of years and be in an NCAA championship game for a national title. I know I helped build this program to where they're going to be and I'm proud to be a part of that and to be a part of this program. I had a great time. I loved playing here, I loved giving everything I had on the court. If anything, I hope the other girls can learn from that."

Alabama head coach Rick Moody
Opening statement: "First of all, I thought it was a great game. That's why you play in this tournament because you get to play in games like these and give kids experience in pressure situations. I do think it was quite evident that both teams haven't played in eight or nine days. It's hard to have the kind of continuity you had at the end of the regular season. Missouri played a heck of a ballgame. They were very well-prepared, but I was really proud of our kids for coming back, especially right at the beginning of the second half, when we came back and got something established and put the basketball inside. Missouri needs to be commended for playing a heck of a ballgame, and we'll see where we go next."

On the game: They were pressing out there, and both teams hadn't played in eight days. We've had great practices. The second five (players) went out there, and they've been practicing very well, but you can tell they haven't had the game experience. When you get into conference play, you have a tendency to play fewer numbers. I fell into that trap as the season progressed. We've been practicing a certain style of play, and we were going to go out there and give everyone a chance."

On not making the NCAA Tournament: "We talked about that before we went out there, if you're a competitor, when the ball goes up, it doesn't matter if you're playing marbles, it doesn't matter if you're playing rummy, when you're a competitor, you get a chance to compete, you're going to go out there and have your head right and be ready to play. Plus, you've got to handle disappointments. That's life. Nobody said it was fair.

On Missouri: "I thought they shot the 3 really well. I'm not saying they're not a good shooting team, but the last part of the season, they didn't shoot that well, and there were a couple of kids that came in off the bench that we took a little bit lightly there. Barr did a heck of a job. You could tell she wanted to win badly. They're a good team, they play in a tough conference. They're battle-tested, so I expected it to be a tough game."

Alabama senior LaNisha Cartwell
"I think I came out in the second half more aggressive. I adapted to the way they were playing defense."

"I kept my eye on the ball, and I commend our team for crashing the boards. Everyone was just trying to tip the ball, and I just happened to be there at the right time, so it was a collective effort on the last play."