Feb. 11, 2017
Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery
Penn State Women's Basketball
Penn State vs. Purdue
Feb. 11, 2017
Coquese Washington | Penn State Head Coach
Q: What was the difference between Teniya Page's performance in the first half and in the second half?
CW: In the first half I didn't think she was being very aggressive, particularly against the zone, so that was one thing we talked about at halftime. We wanted her to be more aggressive and not settle to stay out at the perimeter and pass the ball around. She needed to attack and I thought she started doing that in the second half; getting into the lane and being aggressive.
Q: The seniors scored 14 of the first 16 points. It seems like the really set the tone. Could you talk about their impact tonight?
CW: They came out and you hit it right on the head: they set the tone. They were aggressive, especially on the boards. They were aggressive in transition. They came out and played with a lot of confidence and a lot of energy and I think that was a good way for us to start the game with the effort and the energy they brought.
Q: Could you talk about what those three ladies mean to your team?
CW: Well, we're going to miss them. The thing that I reflect on the most with those three is how much they've grown over the time here, how much they've grown as young ladies. They've been tremendous role models academically - they're honorable students - and they represent what we want a true student-athlete to represent. They get after it in the classroom and then they come on the practice court and give their all. Those three give the best that they have to give on the athletic field and on the court. We're going to miss their effort, we're going to miss their energy and the growth that they've had over their four years has really been special.
Q: It's a cluster right now in the middle of the Big Ten. How big is it to get a win over a team that's ranked right above you?
CW: I think it's big. These last two weeks of the regular season in conference play are going to be big. Everybody is playing everybody and right in that middle we're all going to play each other. Being able to get this win against Purdue is big. We're in a position where we have to take every game one day at a time and focus on our next opponent and try to keep this streak going that we have.
Q: You guys only have one loss at home still this season. Is there any secret to the success you guys have at the Bryce Jordan Center?
CW: Our kids are hams and they like to play for people that cheer them on. That's about the only secret I've got.
Q: The last time you guys played Purdue it was a tough loss, so what adjustments did you make in between to be able to get a win today?
CW: I don't think there are one or two specific adjustments. I think we're just a better team than when we played them a month ago. I think we've grown in a lot of ways. I think we're a little better defensively. I think we're a better rebounding team. And I think our chemistry and connectivity is better than it was when we played them a month ago. We've just grown and gotten better as a team. I also think Teniya is healthy. When we played them earlier, she was just coming back from her hand injury and pretty much played that game with one hand. We were just a little off kilter. I think we're getting healthy and just getting better overall. We're just a better team right now and I like the way were playing heading into the last two weeks of the season.
Q: What adjustments were you able to make at halftime?
CW: I think the third quarter was important for us defensively. I think we came out of halftime and had better focus on being sharper defensively and making them take tough shots. The third quarter set the tone. When you play against good offensive teams, they're going to score points and our whole focus was just to make them take tough shots. I think we did a better job of that in the second half of making them take tough shots.
Q: They finished the first half shooting 50% from the three. You guys were pressing early on, what went into taking the press off?
CW: We didn't want to open up the floor so we took the press off and tried to be in their faces and contest shots. That was the thing we talked about at halftime. The guards had to be better defensively. They weren't good enough the first half. I thought our posts were really good the first half but our guards left a lot to be desired. We talked that they had to be better in the third and fourth quarter. They had to contest shots, they had to get closer and not give them as many open looks and we did that.
Q: You outscored another opponent in the second half, what is it about this team that makes them come out and playing better in the second half?
CW: I don't know if there are any secrets. I think our staff, my assistant coaches do a good job bringing ideas for adjustments and we try to focus on making some adjustments in the second half. I think our kids look forward to the second half. We're in really good shape, really good condition so in the second half we feel like we can get after it and keep the tempo and the pace that we want them to be.
Q: What was the fans effect on your team today? It seemed like in the fourth quarter in particular the crowd was really into the game.
CW: The crowd was definitely a [factor today]. When we made a couple runs, I remember Sierra [Moore] getting a couple break away layups and when you hear that explosion from the crowd, it makes a difference. When Ashanti [Thomas] got that and-1, the crowd's energy was helpful. Jaida [Travascio-Green] hit a big three in the corner and the crowd's explosion and their energy definitely helped. It gives you more life and having a big crowd, having a crowd like this that is excited to see you play. The next time, the last time we get to pay in this place this year, the Pink Zone game, I know it's going to be an incredible crowd and I'm looking forward to that.
Sierra Moore | Senior | Guard
Q: You had two crucial offensive rebounds that lead to points. What was going through your mind and the team's mindset after?
SM: Going into half time Coquese [Washington] told us that we really need to box out and rebound, so in the second half that was our team's mindset. That is what we were thinking about; crashing the boards and getting the rebound, because that's how we were going to win the game.
Q: Last game you didn't have a trip to the free throw line until three minutes left in the third quarter, but tonight you attempt 34 free throws, was that a focus coming into this game?
SM: Our focus for the game was just being aggressive. We know that if we penetrate and attack the gaps, then were going to get those foul calls and go to the line. That is what we try to do every game.
Q: What will you guys miss most about Penn State as a whole and just being on this team and around this community?
SM: It always feels like family and that's the reason why we all decided to come to school here. There was just a comfortable feeling here and welcome feeling every time we play at home. It's going to be like leaving a part of something special, like leaving a family.
Kaliyah Mitchell | Senior | Forward
Q: You posted your third double-double of the season on senior night, could it have been any better for you?
KM: No, I couldn't have been any better. The contribution from the whole team [couldn't have been better]. I think we went out there and accomplished our goal for the game and I don't think I could have had a better senior night than that.
Q: What does it mean to you guys, not just personally but as a unit of 3 seniors to all finish with double figures?
KM: Honestly I wasn't thinking about stats for this game, and I don't think any of [the seniors] were. We came to play on Senior Day and it was a great day, but at the end of the day all we were focused on was Purdue. We weren't focused on reaching any specific stat marks, we were just honored that it was Senior Day, but we just wanted to win the game.
Q: What will you guys miss most about Penn State as a whole and just being on this team and around this community?
KM: [I will miss] my teammates and the type of environment Penn State gives. I will miss the [basketball] family and friends I made throughout the four years. I was able to build relationships with my teammates and people in the community. These are lifelong friendships that I know I can keep, but at the end of the day I'm so blessed and thankful that I was able to have this opportunity.
Peyton Whitted | Senior | Froward
Q: It seems like this team gets off to a slow start and then you really turn it up in the second half, is that just a matter of making adjustments or does it just take a while for things to click sometimes?
PW: I think a lot of it is just coaching and us seeing what is happening on the floor. We got into halftime and talk about what we saw and I think that definitely helps us come out and play harder in the second half.
Q: Peyton you were really strong in the first half, but you got into foul trouble in the second half, how did that effect you in the 4th quarter?
PW: It didn't really affect me. On the bench, I was still cheering for my teammates when I wasn't on the floor, and when I came in I knew I had to be smart and not pick up a silly foul that might take me back out of the game.
Q: With three-straight wins, what do you have to do to keep getting better and keep this momentum going?
PW: We just have to keep taking it day-by-day and focusing on our next opponent.
Q: What will you guys miss most about Penn State as a whole and just being on this team and around this community?
PW: For me, I will miss my teammates. They're like my family and I'm definitely going to miss them the most. And, our fans, we have the best fans in the country.
Sharon Versyp | Purdue Head Coach
Opening Statement:
SV: Penn State played really well in the second half. They attacked the gaps and were hoping to get calls and they obviously were able to attack the gaps and get the calls. I think they shot the most free throws in history against a Purdue team. But they had a great game plan and attacked us and had a lot of offensive boards, [but we] were still there at the end to have a chance to win.
Q: Coming into the game knowing that Penn State has pretty good depth at the guard position how did you guys plan for that and specifically with Teniya Page what makes her so difficult to stop?
SV: Teniya is one of the best players [in our conference]. She can create her own shot. When you get players who can create their own shot, whether it's a 3-pointer or pull-up jumper, it is hard to stop them. I wasn't really worried about the guards it was the post play that killed us. Our post play was extremely poor; rebounding, offense, defense, it was not pretty whatsoever. I think that is where they really hurt us because they had those second chance opportunities. Guards write things down and we didn't have good weak side and our posts didn't rotate.
Q: If you look at the Big Ten standings, there are a handful of teams in the middle right now. What does that mean moving forward into March and how much more crucial is a win right now because the standings are so tight?
SV: You're trying to jockey right now for Big Ten [Tournament] seeding. A lot of teams have four games left or three games left. Those are very important. You want to play good basketball, but [wants to] everyone right now, especially playing at home. You're hoping you can take care of your home court and then when you go on the road obviously it's a little more difficult. But, you are going to see it happen like it happened last year. You are going to wait until the very last day when people play and then we will figure out who teams five through 10 are and really it could be anybody.
Q: You seemed to match efforts in the first half and the score was tied at least nine times in the first half. What was the difference of play going into the second half?
SV: I think they were just extremely aggressive when they got the rebound they pushed the basketball and I think they set the tone that way with officials and fouls and aggressiveness. We didn't do that. So when they're scoring and setting things up all the time then it's harder. Both teams want to get up and down. There weren't a lot of fouls in the first half, it just went back and forth, and in the second half it wasn't fluid at all. I give them credit they did exactly what they needed to do.
Q: You guys were shooting the three ball pretty well in the first half, how did you see Penn State's defense change in your perimeter shooting?
SV: I think they did a good job of getting out on us a little quicker. Our outside play hasn't been as good [lately] as it has been. So, I think for them to make that adjustment was good. I think Dominique Oden our freshman was kind of nonexistent in the second half and that was part on her and then part on Penn State's defense."
Q: How has this Penn State team changed since the last time you played them?"
SV: I think Teniya Page is playing great. I think she is a sheer catalyst and I think when they move more to the forward position that has helped. They are going inside more so that they have that inside-outside threat and I think that helped.
Q: "How much of a factor was the crowd?"
SV: We like playing in front of crowds like we play in it at home. You want great crowds for women's basketball. You want great crowds wherever you go. So we just try to keep promoting the game and trying to get people to come to women's basketball games, no matter where you play around the country.