South Carolina Head Coach Dawn Staley
On the disappointment of losing the last four games compared to last season
I don’t really remember last year. I’m in the present right now. Of course losing any game doesn’t feel good. But to look back on the four games, two of the games we were just in, we were in and it probably could have gone either way, probably could have gone our way but it didn’t. These last two, Kentucky we were out of and this one, we were inching our way back into the game, but we are just struggling right now, to maintain some energy. We are just in a rut right now.
On what Georgia did to defend Kelsey Bone
I think Kelsey is killing herself. She is missing easy lay ups that she usually makes. I don’t think they [Georgia] are doing anything to her. I don’t think they are the most physical team in the post. I don’t think it was them, I think it was more her than anything, and once you start missing a whole lot of chippies, it really gets into your head. Then you are just trying to get one to go down, and you are just trying to figure out what they are doing. It’s simple, she is 6’5″ so go over the top of them and score.
On how to get the team out of the rut it’s in
When you talk about being disciplined you have to continue to do what you do. You can’t just abandon what you have been trying to do all season long, which is just play at a certain level and with a certain level of intensity. Our team is pretty banged up, and it’s more mental than anything. So I think we just try to get them in a better mind set, to not think about the pains that you are feeling right now and just try and fight through it. I think that is the biggest thing in an athlete; once your mind goes it’s just hard to get it back. You just have to pump them with some good information, and pump them with knowing that they are a good basketball team. We’ve got to show them different stuff that we are very good at and hope that that turns to the light bulb on for them
Junior Guard Valerie Nainima
On Georgia’s ability to hold them off after several runs
They were very aggressive. They were aggressive with the ball and driving to the basket. We weren’t getting stops, and we were fouling and letting them get the lead again. We tried to come back, but they kept driving and we kept fouling.
Freshman Guard Ieasia Walker
On the frustration of not coming back
It’s very frustrating because you want to get stops and chip away, but our defense gave up too many drives to the basket and open 3s. We weren’t helping each other, so they were driving to the basket and we weren’t able to cut the lead down.
Georgia Head Coach Andy Landers
On his team’s effort
It was a better effort tonight. Defensively, there was more of a point for doing what we talked about doing and wanting to do. Offensively, we were able to create some shots in transition. We haven’t always been able to do that.
On the play of senior guard Ashley Houts
She energizes her team. Our players, I think, have too much respect for Ashley. When she’s not out there, they hardly know what to do. I’m not sure that they believe they can do it. Yet, when she plays well, it seems like everybody plays well.
On playing well down the stretch of the season<>br> You never know. We’ll just have to see what we do on Sunday. We’re certainly capable of playing better than we played today. We turned the ball over a good bit. We’re capable of playing very, very well. We’ve played very, very well, and certainly, our kids would love to see that come back.
Senior Guard Ashley Houts
On stretching out the lead early in the second half
It felt pretty good. We hit a little rough patch for awhile. I think this game was important for many reasons. It shows that we can go on the road and pull out a win against a good SEC team who played well and beat us at home. It’ll hopefully instill some confidence before the tournament.
On the level of confidence going into the SEC Tournament
I think winning is something that can definitely boost your confidence and definitely make it more enjoyable. We have a good team coming in Sunday to wrap up the season. Right now we`re just focused on doing that and the challenge that presents itself with Arkansas. Hopefully we can carry some momentum going into the tournament next week.
On her level to play after her injury
We had a little time off last week, and I really tried to take advantage of those days and get some rest and rehab. It paid off. I think here and there it feels good. I try not to think about it much. I just try to do what I can to help and win.
