March 6, 2006
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Ohio State Head Coach Jim Foster
On the team's second half performance:
"We just had a 10 minute blip. For those 10 minutes, there was a little insanity out there. I think once we got our legs under us defensively, we got very composed on the offensive end of the floor."
On Purdue's second half run:
"This time of year, you don't blow out teams like Purdue who have won 24 games. They were going to make a run, when you have a kid like Katie Gearlds on Purdue, as well as other good offensive players, and our poor defense in the second half enabled them to get wide open looks. We made the adjustments we needed defensively, and once we started getting some stops, and that led to opportunities on the offensive end. We could run, we started to get into the offense earlier, and that is what basketball has become. When the game stops so much, it becomes a series of runs. I don't think anything transpired that I would expect from a good basketball team like Purdue."
On if OSU has earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tourney:
"I don't worry about that. But if you look at our last 10 games, we've beat six ranked teams. We've won games on the road. We had a good non-conference schedule. We're a good basketball team, and we should be in a No. 1 seed discussion. Our resume is one the table, and we aren't apologizing about it."
On if close games will help them in the NCAA tournament:
"We've been in a lot of close games. In each of those games, we've made baskets and made some stops. I think it does help. We are good team, and it's a fun team to coach."
On the satisfaction of winning the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles:
"This is a great league. It's a lot of fun to be in it. There are terrific coaches and terrific athletes. To win both the regular and postseason title -- it's a credit to our players. With winning this league, it is all about (the players)."
Brandie HoskinsOn the start of the second half:
"We were composed more in the first half. We got away from our defense and gave them some shots in the second half. They started to get open looks. We pulled it out though because we really wanted it and were confident in each other."
On Purdue coming back from being down double digits:
"They're a great team and we knew they would make a run. We knew we could pull this game out though. The best thing we could do was keep our composure."
Jessica Davenport
On Marcilla Parker's 3-point shots at the end of the game:
"The last three, she hesitated a little but knocked it down. We have a lot of confidence in our players. She thought it was a good shot and she knocked it down."
On whether Ohio State deserves a No. 1 seed:
"I feel like we've worked hard all season. Whatever the committee decides, it decides. I think a Big Ten Tournament title will help."
Marscilla Parker
On her shots late in the game:
"My first thought was to get the ball inside to Jessica (Davenport). Purdue wasn't going for my fakes, so I started to shoot and they started to fall. I was just trying to get open and when I got an open look I shot the ball."
On getting open looks against Purdue's defense:
"They were playing defense really well. They were trying to face-guard me so we tried to get some different plays off of that. I was working hard to get open because of their defense play tonight."
Purdue Head Coach Kristy Curry:
On the team's performance:
"I am very proud of this team. We know we can play with anyone. A free throw here, a couple of made lay ups there, and no Marscilla Packer, it would be a different story. There is a lot to say about these kids and how they played in the second half."
On receiving the technical foul:
"It's all about intensity. We are a tight team and I know they feed off me."
On Jessica Davenport's presence inside:
"We obviously wanted to penetrate inside. Davenport is a Kodak (All-American); one of the top two players in the country. I think Erin Lawless came out aggressive, and Katie Gearlds started penetrating in the second half and getting to the line. That is what we wanted, yet our shots were falling from the outside so we took what we could get."
On the mindset of the team going into the NCAA tournament:
"It's good to know that when we wake up, it will be a new day. We are going to the (NCAA) tournament. We are entering a new season and have a lot to look forward to. Until then, we will continue to become a better team."
Katie Gearlds
On three pointers in the second half:
"Whenever we found an open look for a three pointer, we knocked it down. Whenever we had a possession in the second half, we tried to cut into their lead. We did a good job coming back, which put us into a position to win the game. Unfortunately the ball did not bounce our way."
On the defensive effort of the second half:
"After coach (Kristy Curry) got her technical foul late in the first half we all got fired up. We told ourselves that we would make it a ballgame. If we would have played with that intensity for the entire game, who knows what would have happened. But I think we showed a lot of character and we battled until the end."
On guarding (Brandie) Hoskins:
"In the second half we put ourselves in a position where we wouldn't let her catch the ball. When she does catch it, she's pretty dangerous. We knew that she likes to drive on the baseline and we had to take our chances with her jump shot. When she did knock down her jump shots, she gained a little confidence. (Brandie) Hoskins was not the only player that hurt us; Ohio State is just a very good basketball team."
On the NCAA Tournament:
"With the effort that we showed in the second half, I think a lot of teams in the tournament should fear Purdue. We proved tonight that we are a team to be reckoned with and we are going to give it everything we got to get to Boston."
Erin Lawless
On confidence:
"I came into this game with a lot of confidence in both myself and my team. In order for this team to do well, we have to be clicking on all cylinders. So, I came out with the mindset that I should be doing my best for this team."
Sharika Webb
On shot selection:
"During the first half, I feel that I rushed a few shots. But in the second half, I was patient and set my feet before shooting the ball."
