Postgame Quotes

Dec. 29, 2012

Head Coach Sherri Coale

On the game:
"I was really, really proud of our guys today. The play was an extension of the way that we practiced over the break. I was really proud of the way they came back on the 26th. They were ready to go. A lot of retention from things we talked about before the break, a lot of concentration -- that showed today. I thought we adhered to the gameplay extremely well. They are a better basketball team than they appeared to be today. Obviously, they live and die by that 3 ball a lot, but we rushed their 3s and took their first options away, and that created some of that. Then, offensively, I was really proud of the way we shared the basketball. Twenty-three assists is an impressive number no matter who you're playing, when you're playing or where you're playing."

On Portia Durrett:
"She was terrific. I mean, a double-double, the numbers speak for themselves. The best part for me is that she seemed to play with a clearer mind. She just let herself go play basketball, which is what she's good at, obviously. I loved her getting on the floor after loose balls and trying to make plays happen. She just looked more settled, and I am really proud of her. I know that's what she can do, and that's not all she can do."

On the team's effort today:
"All the way down to Eden [Williams] and Tara [Dunn] coming in and fight for rebounds and diving for loose balls, it was awesome. Again, all of that is an extension of practice. Sharane [Campbell] played really hard. Jas [Jasmine Hartman] played hard. You can go all the way down the roster. I thought the effort was complete from top to bottom. When guys got tired, they pushed through it and made it until we got somebody subbed in for them. I was pleased with all of them. For the first game back after the holiday break, to be able to play at that pace with as slim a roster as we have is pretty impressive."

Junior Guard Aaryn Ellenberg

On the contributions from Portia Durrett and Joanna McFarland:
"It helps so much. I think when Jo rebounds it gives us extra energy. When Portia comes in and is that aggressive, it takes the load off of other people. We can look to her because she's a good scorer, too."

On what this win does for the team:
"It gives us as individuals and as a team a lot more confidence. They [Cal St. Northridge] beat UCLA, who we lost to. To come out here and beat them by that much, it gives you a lot of confidence to know that even thought we lost people, we are still collectively together a good enough team to win games."

Junior Forward Portia Durrett

On her performance today:
"Today was basically clearing my mind. Today I felt like I just played. In the past, I really hadn't played very good. I was basically thinking too much, but now it's just time to play."

On how today's game helps her:
"If I continue to play like this, it will help a lot. My teammates, it's only ... ten of us, but everybody is going to have to go in and play, so they expect a lot from me. So that's what I have to give."