Postgame Quotes

Dec. 30, 2009

Oklahoma Head Coach Sherri Coale
On playing this game coming off Christmas break:
“I gave them six days off, which is a long time off . They came back good and we got back into game shape really well. We put some new stuff in and concentrated really well.”

On the Sooners' strength of schedule:
“We have been as tested as you can get. We have played in some crazy circumstances -- back-to-back games, odd game times, a lot of travel, a lot of commercial travel, and have played some very good basketball teams. We have put our kids in a lot of situations where they have had to develop some mental toughness and I think that they are getting better because of it.”

On the matchup with Tennessee:
“They are about 10 or 12 deep with All-American after All-American and that is their roster. They are always going to look like that and they are always going to play a certain way and get after you and they are always going to rebound. There are certain trademarks to that team and they are really going to compete.

“I do think that they are ahead of when they came to Oklahoma the last time. They are more confident and, when all of their guys are in and healthy, they are as good as anyone in the country. I am sure that they have developed more in the past year and I am excited, because like Abi (Olajuwon) said, this is why you play here -- to play games like this.”

Oklahoma Junior Guard Danielle Robinson
On her performance:
“Pretty poor, actually. I think a lot of the turnovers came because I was at a quicker pace than I needed to be. I was passing up some open shots, especially in the second half that led to some turnovers. I can't let that happen, really.”

On going 3-of-7 from the free throw line:
“I think it was just frustration and a lack of concentration. I have made free throws before, it is not like I can't make them. I just have to come in tomorrow and make them and get back into rhythm.”

On the team's performance coming back from the holiday break:
“It wasn't as good as we could have played. I think that we could have scored some more, especially in the first four minutes. One positive thing is we had the lead after the first four-minute interval. That was a step in the right direction.”

On playing Tennessee next:
“I think they are a combination of a bunch of teams we have played this year. I definitely think it will be fun for us and we are really excited about it but we couldn't overlook tonight's game. We had to get this one.”

Oklahoma Senior Center Abi Olajuwon
On her 25-point effort:
“We watched film earlier and I didn't realize how much I just stand there and watch everyone else play. I was just really focused on finding somebody and putting a body on them. We have guards who can make amazing passes and they gave me some really good angles to put it in the basket.”

On facing Tennessee this Sunday and how the Big 12 prepares the team:
“These games are the reason you want to play at the Division I level. It is great to have the opportunity to play in such a hard conference. It does prepare you and gets you going in the right direction by playing in the Big 12.”

Cal State Fullerton Head Coach Marcia Foster
On the game:
“I'm excited about how my team competed against No. 14 in the nation. Oklahoma is a good team. I couldn't be more pleased with my team's effort tonight. They exploited a couple of things on us that I wish we would have adjusted during the game a little bit better, a lot of back door stuff. That's just solid basketball and I wish we would have done a better job.”

On managing OU's size advantage:
“We'll take our chances with them throwing the ball and then trusting our defense to be there. We want them to make the pass and put pressure on the ball. So that's the idea. Today the posts were setting screens up top and we were stepping to edge out and then flashing to the basket. It wasn't just straight into the post. Our posts are trying to help their penetrators because their penetrators are tough; (Danielle) Robinson is tough. So we're trying to edge out and help. Our weak-side help doesn't get around, and even if we do get close, they're just woman-handling us and keeping us from getting all the way around. The idea was there, we just didn't handle the guard. The guards created that for the post players.”

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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