University of Tennessee Athletics
Postgame Quotes: #10 Lady Vols 66, Ole Miss 56
February 19, 2012 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 19, 2012
Recap | Final Stats | Notes
HEAD COACH Pat Summitt
(On Tennessee's win at Ole Miss)
"Obviously, I thought we could've played a whole lot better than we did. I don't think we came out with a lot of energy, but found some as we went along. You have to give Ole Miss credit. They were ready as well."
(On struggling to get the ball in the post)
"I'm sure it's very frustrating for them. Sometimes you have to go inside-out. I just didn't feel like we had the great start that we needed. We found a way to win. When you're on the road, you take it and say, `It's a win.' Hopefully, we can learn something from this."
(On Tennessee's defense)
"I thought our defense really stepped up and we needed it. There's no doubt that we needed it. I think us going on the road, we've been out there for a while. I'm sure they were probably ready to get this game over with as well."
(On Tennessee's game against Arkansas )
"They'll come ready to play. We always get everybody's best shot. I'm just glad we can get off the road for a little bit."
ASSISTANT COACH Mickie DeMoss
(On the game)
"I thought that they had a good game plan. They made it very difficult to get the ball inside to Glory Johnson, early, so we were taking some outside shots. It was almost a replay of the Mississippi State game in the first half. We struggled to knock shots down."
(On outside shooting)
"Here, we addressed (some shooting issues). Make sure you are ready to shoot the ball. Don't rush your shot. I thought we did that. We made some passes and were ready to shoot the ball. But Meighan's (Simmons) 3-(pointers) weren't falling. Taber's (Spani) shot wasn't going and we missed some lay-ups. They started packing in when we missed those shots and that made it harder for us to get the ball inside."
(On the bench play)
"Two games back-to-back we depended on the bench. Cierra Burdick has given us offensive power, which we definitely needed. She knocked shots down from the outside, which she did and Vicki Baugh came in and gave us good minutes. She got some boards and hit some shots for us. We were able to go to our bench and fortunately our bench was able to produce for us."
SENIOR FORWARD Glory Johnson
(On the sweep of game in Mississippi)
"We got both wins on the this road trip. Going back home (is big) for our five seniors, we have two more games at home. For this team, just focusing on rebounding and defense, that's what's been helping us to win the last two games."
(On the senior class)
"Everyone knows about our class, we haven't been to a Final Four. That's really what we are looking for. But first, we need to focus finish out the SEC conference (games) and take care of the SEC Conference Tournament and really get down to business in the NCAAs."
FRESHMAN FORWARD Cierra Burdick
(On Tennessee's win)
"We started off the game a little flat. Just trying to bring energy coming off the bench is what we really needed. I was thankful that my teammates got me the ball when I was open and I just tried to knock it down when I could."
(On Tennessee's energy level)
"It's all flat. We just need to pick it up. We're not going to get very far in the tournament if we keep coming out flat and playing to our competition's level. We need to play Tennessee basketball all the time. If we don't it's going to show come tournament time."
(On Tennessee's shooting)
"I think all the guards and even some of the post players, we need to get in the gym and get some shots up. Right now, everybody knows we're trying to go inside with the basketball. We have great post players. If we're not able to shoot well from the outside, we're not going to be able to get it inside."
(On what she tries to bring to the Lady Vols)
"I try to fill in the holes. I just try to do what the team needs me to do at all times. If it's getting on the boards, I try to get on the boards. If it's feeding the ball inside, I try to do that. If it's hitting open shots, that's what I really want to do. I just want to do whatever my team needs me to do."
(On what she's been working on)
"I'm just trying to stay composed and poised. That's been the biggest focus lately. Sometimes, I get too energized and I start to rush my shot. I'm just trying to really focus in on the game and get in the swing of things before I start putting the shots up. That's really helped me."
(On her role with the team)
"I'm just trying to fill in the holes. We have so many scorers on the team that I don't need to come in and just make an impact by scoring. I just try to get loose balls and rebound, give assists. If I need to hit open shots, I will try to do that. I'm just trying to be a leader for this team."
