Post Game Quotes
12/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Missouri State Head Coach Kellie Harper
Opening Statement...
"I felt really excited for our team and the fans that made the trip. It was an exciting game I think for everyone that was in the building. I was proud of our players. I thought their focus was really good for 40 minutes. We know that Missouri has a lot of offensive weapons all around the court and we were able to contain them. To keep them under 60 points was a really good goal for us."
Why Missouri State matches up with Mizzou so well...
"First of all, our players know a lot of their players. This is a big game. Any time you have an in-state game being played, it's a big deal. I think our players really bought into the game plan and really focused hard to go out and execute."
Chasing down missed free throws at the end of the game...
"It's a good thing we were able to chase them down, because we were missing them. That's effort and hustle and some athleticism out of our players. Sometimes it's easy to allow yourself to be boxed out in those situations. I'm proud of the extra effort."
Missouri Player Quotes
Sophomore Forward Jordan Frericks
On Missouri State's rebounding...
"I think it was on us. Not having the mentality to come out and get every board like we usually do. It's definitely something we need to work on. We didn't come out with an aggressive mentality to have those boards, and that's on each and every player to get a box out."
On the absence of Bri Porter...
"We're not going to make any excuses, but now no better what we are going to try to go out and use the players that we have to the best of our ability."
On her late 3-pointer to put Missouri in the lead....
"The first half we kept flirting with a four point difference and six points, and we had to get over that hump. We finally did and took the lead, and it kind of felt like the momentum was starting to shift."
On Missouri working the ball inside...
"I think Missouri State plays really good help side defense. We talked a lot about that. We had to be careful of lob passes because last year we had really poor passes. We needed to have better ball reversal, which we didn't at times. With that we would've hopefully been able to get it to Jordan inside."
Missouri Head Coach Robin Pingeton
Opening Statement....
"First of all I just want to thank everybody for coming out. What a great atmosphere. The Sprint Center did a tremendous job. The administration did a tremendous job getting our alumni and fans out. That makes it really tough. We are really disappointed in this game. I want to credit Missouri State. I thought they played with a lot of grit and fire in their bellies. Something we seemed really good at all year long was our rebounding, and they got timely offensive rebounds throughout the course of the game. The first half it looked like we haven't played 5 on 5 for a little bit, which we haven't due to injuries. We talked a lot as a team that we aren't going to make excuses. We're not going to play the victim. We are going to continue to fight the fight, and we've still got enough pieces to the puzzle to give us a great run this season. I thought it showed a little bit in the first half, but the second half we had a little more movement. We didn't look quite as fatigued. We clearly have very minimal room for mistakes moving forward. There's nights the ball is not going to fall for us, but we have got to make a commitment that we are going to take care of the ball and not allow second and third shot opportunities. I love this team. I'm proud of them. We've had a lot of toughness. A lot of curve balls thrown at them the last couple of months, but I still believe in them. We've got a lot of season ahead of us, and this is the end of this first part of the season. We've got a tough SEC slate in front of us, but if I know these girls the way I think I do, they're going to roll up their sleeves and continue to go to work and continue to push forward.
On Missouri State's rebounding on free throws....
"As a coach in the moment absolutely, I see it as a lack of effort, but I know sometimes it's the bounce of the ball and inside position. Just like they banked in a three-pointer. Things are going to happen, but there are enough opportunities. Not necessarily at the free throw line. They gave us tough bounces. I thought there were a handful of possessions in the first half that we were straight-legged, and that was a key part of the game because you really set the tone. Missouri State just clawed, fought, and scrapped. When you give teams the opportunity to stay in the game because of hustle plays, it builds that energy from inside. You go into halftime feeling good about yourself, and rightfully so. I just feel like that first half there were way to many possessions that we didn't pounce on those 50/50 balls."
On the tough matchups with Missouri Valley teams....
"I think it's all over the country. I'm not going to question our players' desire or hunger. They've worked really hard. This is really important to them. I think sometimes when you want things so bad you play a little bit locked up. When you're supposed to be the team that wins these games, it changes the psyche a little bit. This year it seems like there are so many upsets. You've just got to continue to talk to your players about each game. Each and every game and how important it is. Anything can happen on any given night and we've been on the other side too. Give Missouri State credit. They competed and they got a win. We're disappointed. It's a tough game especially in this environment. It's a great atmosphere and you always want to leave those games with a victory, but we didn't and we're going to go back to the drawing board. Like I said this closes out the first portion of our season. SEC starts quickly with a tough, tough road game at Tennessee. We've got to roll up our sleeves and go back to work."
