University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota-Virginia Tech Postgame Quotes
12/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Minnesota Head Coach Pam Borton
Opening statement:
"We're really excited about this win. It's a huge win for the Big Ten. It's a huge win for our program, especially coming off a game on the road where we beat North Carolina State. A great win for us. We played well as a team. And coming back and just finding a way to win, this basketball game was huge. It was disappointing that we gave up a 17-point lead in the first half, but we gutted it out and found a way to win this game."
On the way Kiara Buford stepped up while other players struggled:
"I think we had certain players taking shots and they weren't going in. Kiara did a lot to create her own shots. I don't think [Virginia Tech] left her open. I think she does a great job making plays within our system, and that's what great players do...We have to have more balanced scoring, more balanced play by everybody on this team."
On the Gophers creating shots late against the zone:
"I think we made a couple outside shots. I think Micaëlla [Riché] came in off the bench and hit a couple shots inside. We weren't getting anything in the paint. They were leaving the high post open all night. We just weren't able to get the ball inside."
Minnesota Player Quotes
Kiara Buford
On Virginia Tech's run:
"I think in the beginning we had the momentum and we were building off of that. We were hitting shots and we were getting open. And they did go on a run. I think that for a little bit we stayed pretty composed, but when it got really close, I think we just had to readjust and talk about what our focuses were on defense."
Jackie Voigt
On playing without the injured Katie Loberg again:
"I think obviously we had to step up a couple weeks ago when she went out with a knee injury. I think getting the freshmen for a little bit of experience helped, and I think Micaëlla [Riché]did a good job stepping up tonight. But that's just something we're going to have to work through. Everybody's going to have to step up on rebounding, and our posts are going to have to step up defensively and offensively."
Virginia Tech Head Coach Beth Dunkenberger
Opening statement:
"I hate that the Hokies had to get down 17. I think we turned on another gear and were able to come back and make it a ball game. I'm proud of the effort our kids gave today to get back in it. You've got to give hats off to [Kiara] Buford. She did a great job of attacking off the bounce tonight and getting in the paint. It's how we scouted her, but unfortunately we couldn't find a way to stop her. But for us to come in here without our leading scorer and dig ourselves a deep hole, we did a great job coming back. I'm really proud of our effort."
On what the team can learn going forward:
"We have a real young team. We have five freshmen and five sophomores. We had a freshman rebounder come in to the paint and lead us in rebounding. We had a senior reserve come in and really do a great job leading, like she has done recently. So what I'm building on is that now we have some zone looks for us to use when we're not stopping people in our [man-to-man] and finding a way to score when we are a little short personnel-wise . I am very encouraged by the guts and determination this team showed."
