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Head Coach Robin Pingeton

Opening Statement...

"I appreciate you guys being here. Let me just say, really proud of our girls, you know preseason we were picked 12th with a healthy roster, and for us to finish seventh I think it speaks volumes about these young ladies: our work ethic and their toughness, and their grit. It has been a challenging year, but I am really proud of them. I think we are playing our best basketball right now and that is what you hope to do at the end of February and into March so I'm just really proud of our kids. I think they've worked really hard and it's a special group of young ladies."

On development since the first time they played Arkansas...
"I just feel like we've continued to grow and get better. You know there are a lot of times when you're around a program on a daily basis we see that growth. You know, you guys only see games and so maybe it isn't as apparent to the outward eye, but our kids are so committed to the front of their jerseys. And you know everyday, despite what happened the day before, if it was a high or low moment, they just continue to stay the course and continue to work really hard. I know they really care about each other, they believe in each other. I know their confidence is really strong, and it should be, because they earned the right to be a confident team with the work ethic they have. I think a big part of that is that our players are settling into rotations and their role. We talked about this before with the early non-conference it was just like you had to adjust every couple of weeks to a different curve ball with injuries. It has taken some time, but I think our girls have really settled in and feel comfortable with the roles that they are playing."

On rebounding improvement...
"It was a lot better, I would have been disappointed if it wasn't. We really felt, going into this game, that was going to be the difference maker. I think in games like this when you are playing for so much and know what's out there, and it senior day, there are so many emotions. I think it is easy to get locked up and I think you saw a little bit of that tonight with our players. But the one thing we just kept harping on, because we feel like that is an effort thing and it kind of takes your mind off everything else, is the rebounding and the discipline to get a body on every possession and really limit their second and third shot opportunities. We did a much better job here than we did a couple of weeks ago when we played Arkansas at their place."

__________________________________________________________________ Sophomore guard Sierra Michaelis

On the playing better down the stretch...
"I think the turning point in our season was our last Arkansas game. Watching film after that game... I can't even explain it; it lit a fire under all of us. We didn't want to feel that way again. It was a turning point, for sure."

On the defensive performance against Arkansas...
"I thought we brought a lot of energy in the first and the second half. When Morgan Stock came in there, she lit a fire under each one of us with her energy out there. She was pretty rowdy."

Sophomore guard Lindsey Cunningham

On playing Arkansas for the second time...
"That first game against them, specifically, we didn't bring the energy and we didn't come to play like we usually do. We've also gotten more games under our belt and as you go through the fire, it makes you better. Like coach said, we're playing really well right now and we've got a lot of things that we're playing for. I think that all helped us go out there and play like we did today."

On looking ahead to the SEC tournament...
"We're playing good team ball. Everyone has really figured out the role they play on this team and we've figured out how to prepare for games. We're on point with all of the things we need to be on point with. I feel very confident going into this SEC tournament, and hopefully making a deep run."

_____________________________________________________________________________ Arkansas Head Coach Jimmy Dykes

Opening Statement...
"We shot 3-for-22 in the first half and I think that was the difference in the ballgame. It's hard to overcome when you shoot 13-percent in the first half on the road. We fought back. We never quit. We never go "out-efforted" in the game. I do know that. It's hard to win a third grade basketball game with 11 points in the first half. Missouri's defense is really good. They pack it in. they take away things and force you to make shots. We didn't make shots."

On Jessica Jackson's playing...
"She played fine. She had 8-of-19 points and 11 boards. She played hard and did fine. She scored for us. That's her role on the team. I though Jhasmin Bowen was a warrior inside. She missed some shots around the rim but ended up with a double-double; 11 points and 10 boards in 33 minutes. Missouri had 13 bench points to our zero. That's always a concern for us. We didn't get any bench production today."

On difference in Missouri since the last match-up...
"Robin has done a great job. Her offense is hard to cover. They have kids that can shoot it. They have good balance with Frericks on the inside. I think she is really, really good. She's a really good player. I'm really impressed with her just about as much as any post player in this league. The shooters that surround her make it kind of difficult to come off of them and with Frericks I think we did a good job today. She only had 10 points and Jhasmin had something to do with that. There is no difference now in Missouri than when we beat them. There is no difference in us. Today the ball went in for them and it didn't for us. Robin is a really good coach and a really good lady. She and I have become good friends. If I'm going to get beat by somebody in this league Robin is a good person to get beat by."