Dec. 6, 2009
Vanderbilt 79, Western Kentucky 73 (OT)
December 6, 2009
Memorial Gym
Vanderbilt Head Coach Melanie Balcomb
Getting the first points in OT:
“It’s really important. We were playing not to lose in the second half, but we had the tempo and the emotion after that first basket.”
On points in the paint:
“I think we toughed it out. We got smarter at the end. We executed better, better defensive decisions, and played harder. Driving hard and attacking drew fouls and this game was won on the free throw line. Merideth (Marsh) made big plays at the rim, as did Jence (Rhoads). Our three guards got to the rim and Hannah did as well. They shut down our 3-point shot and we responded and were able to succeed in the paint.”
On Hannah Tuomi:
“She was key because she was in foul trouble. We didn’t have that killer instinct when we had the lead and Hannah was on the bench. Hannah coming back in gave us the energy to come back and win. In the end of both the first and the second half, she gave us the boost we needed to push through overtime and she had some key rebounds in overtime as well.”
On defensive effort:
“We were focused on trying to overtake their posts. We have struggled with post defense and we were worried on being on the inside. So we doubled on the post and only gave up four 3-pointers.
On team’s injuries:
“We have adjusted well to the injuries to Jordan and Stephanie. Elan (Brown) stepped up and studied overnight to start today. She has never played this position before and she really shone. She has a lot to work on, but I think it shows a lot that a freshman was willing to step in and try something she had never done for the betterment of her team.”
WKU Coach Mary Taylor Cowles
Opening Statement:
“As a staff, we are really proud of our young ladies. We went through adversity and put ourselves in a tough situation. We fought hard, but Vanderbilt is a great team and really played hard.”
On defense:
“Transition defense was tough today, but we’re not playing perfect basketball right now and we do have a lot to improve upon. Our defensive game plan was to limit their perimeter shooting because they have so many weapons to contribute at the 3-point line.”
On Dominique Duck’s injury:
“Dominique’s injury is tough, but we didn’t quit and fold. We didn’t panic and we continued to fight. It would have been nice to have her because she had great momentum at the time, but we responded well.”
Vanderbilt guard Merideth Marsh
Start of overtime:
“Getting the first basket of overtime was crucial. That’s one thing that Coach was talking about in the locker room, that we try to outwork and outlast every team. We took advantage of their lack of defense in overtime. We were not going to back down and we were not going to lose this game.”
On redeeming themselves from Friday’s loss to Bowling Green:
“Our coaches are not ones to beat losses down our throats. Letting them down is the worst feeling and that’s enough punishment for us. We need tough practices and to be pushed past our limits to understand that every possession of every game is going to count. We cannot let down.”
On scoring in the paint:
“I just felt like I wasn’t getting open [for three]. Teams are playing me for the 3-pointer. I don’t think 3-pointers are my best thing. I like getting into the paint and showing defenses that I can put the ball on the floor and giving my team options offensively.”
On the team’s recovery from the loss of Jordan Coleman:
“Jordan’s injury is tough and she was playing well before that. She was very productive and so when someone is hurt, every other person on the team has to be willing to step up and pick up what that person did. We’re just trying to find who is going to bring in the offensive rebounds, steals, defensive energy, and free throws she brought. I think Elan (Brown) did a great job tonight considering she moved from guard to post yesterday in practice for today’s game.”
WKU Forward Arnika Brown
On overtime:
“Vanderbilt made a few fast breaks in overtime. We’re more of a transition defense and it was a bit of a let-down coming into overtime.”
On learning from today’s loss:
“Any loss is disappointing, but we played hard and we didn’t give up. We learned a lot that we can take into the conference part of our schedule.”
WKU Guard Amy McNear
On the play of Dominique Duck:
“Dominique is one of our seniors and she led us well, but we all tried to contribute as much as possible. We were all able to bring us back into the game against a tough team.”
On strong defense in the second half:
“We just wanted to keep the pressure on the perimeter and keep (Merideth) Marsh from shooting 3s. We kept our hands active and our defense definitely contributed to keeping them off of the 3.”
On pushing the game into overtime:
“We are a bunch of fighters and we’re going to fight to the end. We just ran out of time today. We kept our composure and we gave it our all.”
On playing an SEC school:
“We get more confidence playing tough non-conference schools and the way we played today and against Duke and Arkansas gives us the strength to push into our conference schedule.”x
