Post-Game Quotes: Morehead State
11/9/2021 8:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball
On setting a program record for made three-pointers...
That was fun, certainly something that we have in our bag. Alyza [Winston] is a really good shooter. Matilda [Ekh], Mo [Joiner] can shoot it. Nia [Clouden] can shoot it. We do have the ability to stretch the defense there. Mo [Joiner] came in and she hit three threes late too. That's her game. She's a three-point shooter and works on that. We recognize there's going to be games when they play zone and sagged in like that, that we are going to have to knock down shots. It was kind of nice to see us have the opportunity to knock those down. I think they said it was a record, maybe 15 before. 17 now. It's a good starting point, so we'll take it.
Seeing the team as three-point shooters...
I did. Because with Matilda [Ekh] , DeeDee [Hagemann], Alyza [Winston], Clouden, Mo [Joiner], we have the ability to stretch the D. Even Tori [Ozment] and Julia [Ayrault] who are hurt right now. Those kids are face-up and can extend the defense. I didn't think we'd have to rely on that a little more this year. They've worked really hard this year, and in the offseason. We've moved the line back 17 inches so I'm kind of interested to see how that plays into both sides. I mean one, for us, obviously. But on the other side of that, how does it affect defensively? Some kids, they don't have that kind of range. 17 inches is kind of a long way. I've found high school kids, kids that came from high school, it took a minute. It didn't bother Matilda because they play in the FIBA international line, that was no big deal. I was interested to see how Deedee would do. DeeDee has done a really good job and some of the other kids, especially the younger ones trying to figure that line out.
Alyza's fast, aggressive, 20-point performance, utilizing her to full potential…
She's been consistent with our scrimmage, exhibition game and now here. That's one thing that I think Alyza [Winston] really wants to improve and embrace and work on. I think if you're going to be a really good player at this level, and be considered as a good player, I think you gotta be consistent. I think she's really embraced that. She's worked hard on her game this off season. Her motor is better. She recognizes defensively she could be better, and she's really invested in that side of the ball. Her speed alone is spectacular as you know. Her ability to guard the ball is really good and I think she's done a really great job at working herself, understanding defensive rotations off the ball. A year ago, she was maybe not quiet there yet. This year I can see that growth and maturity in her. Just a great kid, hard worker. We have some kids that can score between her and Matilda [Ekh] and DeeDee [Hagemann] and Mo [Joiner] and different kids on the perimeter. We're just going to have to continue to stay the course and make sure we get her good open looks. When they [Morehead State] went zone, I went, "Okay, Matilda and Alyza on the wings are pretty good places to start when you're trying to build a zone offense."
Tori and Julia being out, Matilda and Mo filling in at the four…
They did a good job. And we brought Tamara [Farquhar] in who is a little bit different. So I think we can become a different team. That's the one thing I do like about this team, the versatility of it all. I think we can space the floor and do some things. When Tamara came in, we attacked at more inside with more of a high-low look against the zone. You know, she can stretch. She's got a nice 15-foot jumper, 18-foot jumper. And she's been working on her extension as well. I'd say that's her first gift to this. She's a great defender, great rebounder, a great cutter. She has a high IQ for the game, she plays extremely hard so when we sub her in, we become a different team, I think. We can morph into maybe having her play more minutes to have a power forward at that position that we might need some help guarding, versus Mo who spaces the floor or Matilda [Ekh].