Postgame Quotes

Jan. 21, 2012

Oklahoma Head Coach Sherri Coale
Opening Comment:
“In some ways, it was similar to the game in Manhattan in that every time they had a run we had an answer for it. I think that is a sign of growth, a very healthy thing for our team. I would like to not give them so many runs to put us in that situation. We get a little bit flat sometimes. We get a cushion and then we don't maintain that sense of urgency, but I think that will come with time.”

On OU's defense:
“I think two big keys defensively was, one, Nicole Griffin's presence in the paint. She was really, really good. Location, when they were all on the right time and not fouling, being disciplined with their shot blocking and guarding with two steps, which is something we talk about with the posts all the time, staying between your guy and the basket all the time so they don't get an angle. And then also, the job that Whitney did on [Chassidy] Fussell.”

On the upcoming game against Baylor:
“Obviously they are a very, very talented team at every position. They have not really had and trouble with anyone. They have had a couple of close halves but really no serious challenges. They play a very rigorous schedule themselves. They have a lot of talented scores that go beyond obviously [Odyssey] Sims and Brittney Griner. But, I think that is where you have to start when you have a game plan against these guys. You can't stop Brittney Griner from getting 21 to 25 points. She is going to get them no matter what. Nothing you can do to her. But, what you can do is not shoot yourself in the foot and turn it over 23 times. You can't give them extra possessions and you can't let other guys go and have career days on you.”

Oklahoma Junior Guard Whitney Hand
On responding to the loss of Joanna McFarland:
“I am really proud of our team and how we have responded to that, with the loss of Jo. Coach challenged us each that we have to be better. Jo, especially at the point when she got hurt, was productive. But I really feel like Kay Kay [Kaylon Williams] had a great game against K-State. Sharane [Campbell] had a great game today and we are just picking up those pieces so I am proud of that. I just feel like the Big 12 is a grind and we are grinding out wins. That's a good thing. So as long as we are doing that then I am happy with it.”

Oklahoma Sophomore Guard Aaryn Ellenberg
On her scoring ability:
“I am one of the key scorers on our team and, in those kinds of situations, I need to step up and take some sort of control. But, all of our teammates are good attacking with all that pressure.”

Oklahoma Freshman Guard Sharane Campbell
On showing growth in her game:
“I am not past all things but there are a lot of things I need to learn still. I'm just taking it day by day I just need to grow. Because sometimes I catch myself looking two days ahead and I start panicking. I just get all discombobulated and then you have to take me back in and say Sharane just calm down and only worry about today. So I still have those freshman thoughts but I am on my way to growing.”

Texas Head Coach Gail Goestenkors
On the game:
“I thought Oklahoma, they were ready to play. They did a great job. [Sharane] Campbell, initially, we were not playing her as a 3-point shooter, and that's what I think great teams do. With [Joanna] McFarland out, other players stepped forward, and I thought that's what happened for them.

“They played with a lot of emotion and got some really good minutes from players you don't normally see such production from. We got ourselves in a hole early. Missed out on free throws and got killed on the boards in the first half. That's was rough for us. You can't go on somebody's home court and miss free throws and layups.”

On second half changes:
“I thought in the second half our intensity, our defense was much, much better. We'd get close. Then it seems like invariably they would hit a big 3 or we would foul. We fouled several times in a row and they got to the free-throw line. They did what they had to do to hold us at bay. We got them to turn the ball over a little bit, which was good for us, but we didn't always always convert on those turnovers.”

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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