Feb. 21, 2008
SDSU head coach Beth Burns
Opening Statement:
"I think we liked it so much the first time (around) being 0-4, and then winning four in a row, that we have chosen to go that route again. This is a good opportunity for us. We are one game apart from the next two opponents that we play, so hopefully we'll be a little healthier this weekend. We expect that (forward) Shanna (Demus) will play (Saturday), and we've got to get it started with BYU."
On the challenges of playing BYU on the road:
"I would say that basketball is all about match ups. I think that we match up well with (BYU), as big as they are. They are better at home. They just beat Wyoming last week at home, but if we can keep the court full and not let them get into a half-court tempo, I think we will be confident. They do a good job and will have a good crowd. We are both pretty desperate right now and this is a huge game for the both of us. The last time we played them was about as good as we can play. They know what we're going to do and we know what they're going to do and it's just a matter of who is going to be able to counter strategies."
On the improvements made this year:
"It has been a peak and valley kind of year. I think we made really steady improvements through Christmas and losing (guard) Tamika Lipford (to injury) really set us back. Then we rebounded and peaked again, but had another injury, which set us back again. I don't think that is any surprise relative to as you build, if you have construction delays, you don't have the competitive depth to counter those kinds of hits. I think we would have improved more if everyone had stayed healthy, but I don't think we are out of it. I think we have improved individually, but we've taken a couple hits in losing Tamika and Shanna."
On sophomore guard Quenese Davis:
"I think that sophomore year is probably the hardest. She was an unknown quantity and burst on the scene last year, and really made everybody around her better. It took her some time this year to adjust to having some different weapons. She needs to get back to playing her game and doing what she does best. I am confident she is going to do that. I think she has made tremendous improvements physically and that is a big part of it. We play in a big, strong league at altitude and that was a challenge, but she has improved and will continue to improve. She is second in the league right now in assists and third in the league in steals. If you look at who she is second in assists to, it is somebody who plays 40 minutes a game all the time. I think that is a great measure of a point guard."
Sophomore guard Quenese Davis
On the remainder of the season:
"Just like (Coach Beth Burns) said, we went 0-4 and we're looking to win four straight now. I see us having success in this conference. I just need to keep improving everyday and keep helping others around me to help our team succeed at the end of the season."