March 3, 2006
Recap |
Box Score |
Notes |
Photo Gallery
Purdue Head Coach Kristy Curry:
Opening statement:
"I thought we had great balance down the stretch. We made some critical stops, we made some critical plays. I am really proud of our kids. It's one and done this time of year, and we will take them anyway we can get them."
On the team kicking it into gear after Illinois took a lead early in second half:
"I really challenged our kids at that point in the ballgame. I thought we weren't playing as hard and aggressive as we needed to be. But after that, I can go on and on about little things that people did to make a difference in the end."
On Jodie Howell's spark:
"She's so fundamental, you see her pick up loose balls, you see her square up, she makes great post entry passes; she just understands the game and really makes us a better team. A lot of people don't understand how valuable she is to us. She was a big reason earlier in the year why we were having so much success. When we lost her, I think people underestimated her importance to this team. We know how important she is to us, and we are glad to have her back, and hope to keep her back."
Katie Geralds
On everyone contributing to the scoring effort:
"We had balance. There is so much individual talent on this team, that at any given period anyone can step up and make a play. That's the mark of a good basketball team."
Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton
On the return of Jodi Howell:
"It's great. She's a wonderful shooter. The defense needs to know where she is at all times. It makes it hard for the defense, with her back, to cover her and all of our other guards."
On Illinois' quick start to the game:
"We didn't come out with enough intensity; they did and it showed. Next time we need to come out strong because with the way things started tonight it could have been ugly."
Illinois Head Coach Teresa Grentz:On the team's performance:"It was an interesting game. We had our opportunities we just didn't score enough points to win the game. I feel bad for our seniors."
On the team being ahead initially:
"We were playing well and then panicked. I think we looked up at the scoreboard, saw that we were ahead and got scared. We started playing tight and that is why we turned over the ball so much. I told them we needed to penetrate to be successful, which they acknowledged, but we just couldn't execute. It's a mental thing. They have to realize that it's not okay to play hard and still lose."
Erin Wigley
On coach Grentz's halftime comments:
"Coach (Theresa Grentz) told us at halftime to take better care of the ball. She told us to stay focused because we were hurting ourselves more than anything."
On playing Purdue this season;
"Both of our games were very competitive. The first time we met in the season our team was more assertive and aggressive. But during this game we were a little tentative and hesitant about the shots we were taking."
Janelle Hughes
On her performance:
"During the first half, I was in attack mode. But I became less assertive and aggressive throughout the game."
On the end of the season:
"We don't want it to be over. We would like more games to prove that we can win. Hopefully we can get a position in the tournament."
