University of Tennessee Athletics
TENNESSEE VS. BAYLOR - POST GAME QUOTES
March 28, 2004 | Women's Basketball
March 28, 2004
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UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
Tennessee Head Coach Pat Summitt
Opening statement
I told our basketball team after the game that in every post season there is a game in which you are really tested and you figure out a way to win and survive. Tonight was one of those games.
On Tennessee's performance after Robinson fouled out
I thought we played a lot of one-on-one. The good thing is that we managed to get it done without a lot of help from our bench.
On overall performance
I'm just proud that we could find a way to win. This team has done that and I'm pleased that we can survive with an ugly performance.
Senior Guard Tasha Butts
On Free Throws at the End of the Game
Obviously there was a lot of pushing because both teams wanted the ball. I expected overtime but it called in our favor and that's something that we're pleased with. When I got to the free throw line all I was thinking was every day in practice that's what you shoot free throws for. I wasn't in a panic.
Butts on Charge that Shanna Zolman Took
It really impacted the game and gave us a boost. She (Chelsea Whitaker) was really handling the pressure that LaToya (Davis) was bringing to her. She was pushing the tempo and getting in our defense. If she wasn't passing to her teammates she was making plays herself. It was a big time defensive play stepping into the charge. It made someone else handle the ball besides Chelsea (Whitaker).
Junior Forward Shyra Ely
On Baylor's First Half Start
They just really went to the boards hard. One of our focuses for this game was to keep them off the boards, but they did a good job going hard offensively and defensively. We just weren't there. In the second half we tried to adjust to what we didn t do in the first half which was get to the boards, and stepping up our defense. I think we did a better job of that.
On Robinson Fouling Out
Ashley is such a big part of this team and the way she went out didn't seem fair, but she told us to play for her and we did. None of us wanted to go home. We've come through a lot of adversity this year. This was just another case of that and I'm happy we pulled through.
Senior Center Ashley Robinson
On the Outcome of the Game
I think we escaped. I wish we would have come out and played our A game, but we're happy to get the win. We ll take a win however we can get it so we have to be happy with being able to advance.
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor Head Coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson
Opening statement:
I can not believe that game ended just the way that it did.
On if the foul happened before the clock ran out:
You would have to ask the officials. They put time back on the clock, it's just a controversial ending to a game. I don't need to say anymore. That, as everything else, is controversial. That will be replayed from now through the end of the Final Four and once again Baylor is on the unfavorable end of it.
On whether you have been in a game that is controversial like this one:
I don't know if I have been involved in one where the game was over and they put time back on the clock and they shot free throws to win it, no I have not.
On Chelsea Whitacker fouling out:
I'm sure it played a part, just like Ashley Robinson going out for them played a part, but I don't think it decided the game. I think that several things decided the game and the two that we could control, we didn't control. Number one is they got second and third shots when we extended the lead to eight and we turned it over and you can't do those two things against Tennessee.
Senior Forward Dionne Brown
On the team effort:
Team effort that is what we have been stressing. We need team effort. The roll players stepped up and got us to this point. I just commend my teammates for having no fear. It is exactly what we had from the tip off till the end. It was a shame it had to end this way. Senior year is here, in your grasp, and it gets taken away from you. You have to really look at that as a senior and shake your head. It has been a good ride but very, very disappointing.
On Chelsea Whitaker fouling out:
Her being the floor general for us, it shakes you a little bit when that happens. We made the right plays to get it to be tied up. So, I can't just blame it on one play.
Sophomore Forward Sophia Young
On playing fearless:
We tried to do something. We are trying to put Baylor out there with Tennessee and all of the other top name schools. Baylor is up there.
On the final minutes of the game:
We didn't get the long rebounds. We didn't make the plays that we needed to. Yeah, we rushed it a little bit. And I must give credit to Tennessee they are a really great team. They made the plays at the end they needed to, they got the rebounds.
