Jan. 4, 2006
Recap | Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State Head Coach Steve Fisher
On the game:
"I think the most important game played tonight was at Cox Arena, in any sport. I'm proud of how we competed and fought, and made plays when we had to, and got a big lead. To Colorado State's credit, they fough their way back in. I don't think we gave them anything. We hung in and stepped to the line. Richie Williams and others made big time free throws when you had to have them. We got a hard fought victory which is what this league's all about."
San Diego State Guard Brandon Heath
On winning the first league game:
"It feels good. It's always good to start off on a winning note. Now we have to get ready for the next one (a road game). In this conference, you have to win on the road."
On Marcus Slaughter's first game back from injury:
"Marcus came back tonight and he played remarkable. He didn't score a bunch but great players make great plays and he made everyone around him better tonight."
San Diego State Forward Mohamed Abukar
On how he played tonight:
"The biggest thing that felt good for me tonight was getting this win. Nothing can describe the feeling of getting this win. Especially when this team has been struggling."
San Diego State Forward Marcus Slaughter
On the game and having a full roster:
"It felt great for me. Most people don't know that we hadn't had a full roster until tonight. We finally got everyone in. It's the first step for us."
Colorado State Head Coach Dale Layer
On the game:
"It was a hard fought game. (SDSU) was picked to win the league for a lot of good reasons. They play really well at home. I think this is the first time they have had a full team. They are a confident team with guys that have been there before. The first and second half starts get us in too deep of a hole. We have to correct that. I thought our guys played really hard. We had a chance to win down the stretch on the road and that is a good thing. (SDSU) is typically not a good free-throw shooting team; they shot almost 90 percent tonight. That's what happens on the road. We came up a little bit short, but I am proud of our guys effort."
On CSU's second half comeback:
"This is not a team that quits. We had our chances. We didn't stop in the second half. We drove to the basket and kept hanging in there. Sean (Morris) hit some threes. The press was effective in stretches in the second half to fight our way back."