Feb. 26, 2017
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Penn State Women's Basketball
Penn State vs. Michigan
Feb. 26, 2017
Coquese Washington | Penn State Head Coach
Q: Why do you thing you came out a little slow in the first quarter?
CW: Well, to be honest, the start of the game was a little different for us with the change in the lineup and Jaida Travascio-Green not being able to go. It took us a little time, probably half of the first quarter, to adjust to that. I think once we made some substitutions, we were able to get back to our regular rotation, and that helped that us settle down and settle into our normal rhythm. That's when we were able to make things happen.
Q: In third quarter, you shot 66 percent, which has kind of a trend for this team, coming out strong in the second half. What clicked for your team after halftime?
CW: I thought we did a better job of being aggressive, attacking and being smarter. Michigan went zone a lot in the second half, and we were able to go inside and outside, and not settle for 3-point shots against the zone. We were able to get some passes in to Ashanti [Thomas] and she was successful. We were able to get the ball to the high post and Sierra [Moore] got a couple drives and high post shots. Our guards did a good job of attacking the gaps and not settling for threes, but really getting into the paint. I think if you can get the ball into the paint against the zone, then you have a chance to shoot some high percentage shots.
Q: The team only shot 50 percent from the free throw line. What is your message to the team?
CW: We made enough to win. It is what it is. Kaliyah is an 80-percent free throw shooter. I was confident that she would make one of the two. We always talk about regardless of what happens we were going to have to go back and get a stop. Focus on the defense, focus on making sure we make them take a tough shot, rebound and then go back down the offensive end. That was kind of our thinking.
Q: It was a physical game early on. There were a lot of jump balls, scrambles and offensive rebounds. It was a fast-paced game. Was that expected going in?
CW: Absolutely. I think both of our teams want to get up and down the court. We like an up-tempo game, and we like a fast paced effort on both ends of the floor. I think you saw two teams playing that way. There was a little bit of pushing and shoving and it was physical, but teams in the Big Ten play with that passion. They are going to fight until the end. I thought it was all in good competition and fortunately, we were on the positive end.
Q: What was being said in the huddle when you were down eight going down the stretch?
CW: I think [Amari and Ashanti] hit it on the head [with what they said earlier]. We talk all the time about how long the game is and we talk a number of times in the huddle that a seven-point lead is a three-possession game. An eight-point lead could be three possessions if you hit threes. It's not the end of the world. We didn't panic. We don't want to go and just try to make the home run play and shoot quickly or go for homerun plays on defense and foul. Just play and be smart. We focused on taking great shots on the offensive end, playing smart on defense, and making them take tough shots and then rebound the ball. One possession at a time and we slowly got back in.
Q: Earlier in the week, we talked about how you guys would use the crowd to your advantage and for moral support. What did crowd do for your team today?
CW: Our crowd was fantastic today. Our kids played great off their energy. You could feel it when you're in the huddle. You could feel that positivity coming from the stands down into the huddle. You could feel the confidence that the crowd and the arena had in our team. When we got down eight points in the fourth quarter, there was a lot of confidence in that huddle because of all the energy we felt from the crowd. There wasn't a moment were we were thinking of anything other than playing our best, giving our best efforts, staying focused, staying locked in and executing.
Q: Can you just talk about what it means that your captain and senior Kaliyah Mitchell hit the game winner in her final game at the BJC?
CW: You know, I'm not surprised at all. When in [the officials] came out of the huddle and said who was going to shoot the free throw. When it's Kaliyah Mitchell going up to the line, I'm really confident because she's a great free throw shooter. I was confident she would knock at least one down and that's all we needed was one to go down.
Amari Carter | So. | G | #2
Q: What was going through your mind when you hit that three?
AC: Shoot the ball. That was it. Not make or miss. Just shoot it, because you know how to shoot.
Q: Could you feel the pressure?
AC: No. I just shot it. I didn't tense up. Kaliyah [Mitchell] gave me a good pass off the fumble. I just shot the ball and It went in.
Q: How did your teammates receive you after that and after the game?
AC: It was like an electric feeling. The crowd went crazy. It was just a great, great moment.
Q: After making your way back after redshirting last season, is this the way you want to be able to finish a game?
AC: Definitely. This was a great game, and not just for us and what that means for the end of the season; but also, for all the survivors who were in the stands and all the family members that came and the cause that we played for. It was just a great way to end the season.
Q: You were down eight with 7:20 left in the game. What was said amongst the team to claw your way back after having a 10-point lead in the third quarter?
AC: Just stay locked in. We talked about that the whole game, because Coach [Washington] talks about how the game is a game of runs. They went on a run, and we clawed back in, and then we went on a run, and they clawed back in. It was no different that time. Someone was going to go on a run. It happened to be us, and we came out and won.
Ashanti Thomas | So. | C | #24
Q: What was it like playing in front of that crowd today, one of the largest crowds you have played in front of this season?
AT: I loved the crowd. It was a really high energy game. It was really positive and helped us keep our heads up when things got tough throughout the game. I just thought it was amazing, and the purpose of the game for the survivors, it was just great. There was a lot of support today.
Q: You were perfect from the field. You tied your career high in points, so what was clicking for you today?
AT: Confidence. I just felt really confident, and when my teammates trust in me, it just puts me on another level. The confidence and the trust that they were willing to pass me the ball even when we were down some. I just had to stay focused and stay locked in.