Quotes
March 2, 2006
Kansas Postgame Quotes
Kansas State 62, Kansas 44
March 2, 2006
Head Coach Bonnie Henrickson
On the game:
“This isn’t the way the seniors deserve to go out, but it is what it is. Give credit to Kansas State as they came out throwing punches and got us back on our heels a little bit. Kansas State really played with confidence. We just need to play better possession-to-possession. We made a run to get the lead down to eight, but they hit a couple of shots and were able to stretch the lead back out. I wished the seniors could have gone out on top, but I told them that there are still games left to be played and their leadership during that time is going to be important. Taylor (McIntosh) played well and she hit the offensive glass well particularly at the end of the first half where she got a rebound and scored. It is important for us for Taylor to rebound and defend well. We just didn’t get angles for entry passes into the post.”
On the Kansas Seniors:
“I am proud to be associated with our seniors. I have great respect for how they were able to adjust to elevated expectations both on and off the court. They are great role models and good leaders. They can can walk away feeling as if they were part of the growth in the program in getting it back to the level we all expect to be at here.”
On Kansas’ 0-9 shooting from 3-point range:
“We weren’t able to get much separation and the shots we did get were all contested. At times I felt some of our passes were a little late. Our timing was also off a bit, and they deflected some of our passes.”
Senior Forward Crystal Kemp
On Kansas State:
“They seemed to want it more. They didn’t want to come in here and lay down and die; that’s not what we expected them to do. We just didn’t go out there and play hard and compete with them.”
On Kansas State’s defense:
“They were always there, especially on the catch. That is just credit to them on their defense”
On playing at the Big 12 Tournament:
“We just have to play hard the whole time. We can’t let the game get away from us early. We are known for fighting back, but you can’t fight back when you’re in a deep hole.”
On her last home game:
“I’m disappointed that it ended this way. I just have to credit my teammates, Erica, Kaylee and myself. I’ve had a pretty good four years here, and hopefully we’ll give our young teammates a chance to turn it around.”
Senior Guard Kaylee Brown
On the seniors thoughts going into the game:
“We (the seniors) just wanted to make it special for us to be the first ones to beat K-State on our senior night.”
On Kansas going 0-9 from the three-point range:
“It (K-State’s defense) is nothing that we haven’t seen before. It’s the same kind of defense that we have seen throughout the Big 12. It was just our lack of execution.”
Senior Guard Erica Hallman
On playing Kansas State at the Big 12 Tournament:
“We know we play them on Tuesday. That’s the only good thing that came out of tonight — that we have another opportunity to play them again. Hopefully the outcome will be different. We have to play harder, work together and put in better effort.”
On playing last home game:
“It’s really emotional. It’s hard to face to the fact that I’m not going to play in here again after I have for four years.”
Kansas State Head Coach Deb Patterson
On Kansas State’s start to the game:
“I think our players were very focused. When they have hit the floor, they have hit the floor running. Here on the road at KU, with the emotion and rivalry involved, I think that (the opening stretch of the game) was a real advantage for us. I was pleased with the consistent intensity that we brought tonight once we did establish a little distance between us and KU. I think the first shot we made was big because it is a game of emotion.”
On Shalee Lehning:
“Because we have a great point guard, we have a chance to be competitive every night in this league. She started the game extremely intense and was a factor in every aspect early, and I think that really ignited our basketball team.”
Junior Guard Claire Coggins
On the mindset coming into the game:
“We came in tonight knowing it was a huge game for KU. It was a huge game for us too, but it was their Senior Night, it was at home and it was KU/K-State. The way we have finished some of the games, we have been up and then lost a lead. We didn’t want that to happen today.”
On the game:
“We are very confident on the way that our team can come out and have the fire of shutting teams down because we are a good team. If we come out hard and confident, it is hard for a lot teams to play with us. KU is a great team and they played great tonight, but we really wanted this win and we did the things we needed to do to win the game.”
Freshman Guard Shalee Lehning
On the game:
“This was a great win for us. KU is a great team and this was a tough atmosphere to play in, but we came in with great focus and intensity and we got the job done.”
Freshman Forward Marlies Gipson
On the atmosphere:
“It was definitely a great atmosphere. They tried to bring in some fans and shake us a little bit, but overall it was an exciting game and a lot of fun.”
