Feb. 28, 2008
On the team's win over UNLV on Wednesday night:
"There is never a win, the older you get, that is not a great one. It was just so important for our team who has experienced both ups and downs this season to really put it together and gain confidence that resulted in a successful outcome. There is about four teams a game apart in the (league) standings. This was big for us. No one in our locker room had ever swept anyone, so we were able to get a sweep, get a tie break and move one step closer to finishing a little bit higher and getting momentum going into the conference tournament. It was a huge win and it will put a little bounce in our step, which we definitely needed to have."
On how last night's win was big without Shanna Demus playing due to injury:
"Shanna is really our only true small forward. Then you add to that the fact that she has been here every second we have coached her since she has been here. You really cannot trick your team (into believing) that it is no big deal. They had to prove to themselves they could win without Shanna. Although we do not have depth, we still have the talent level to compete with any team. When you are as young as we are, it's (mental). Now we think we can win and now we know we can win. I would not have wanted to get on the plane tomorrow (to go to Colorado State) having not won yet, because it's like we have a new team again. We have had new teams for the third time this season and now this version is confident that it can play. Depending on how things go from this point forward, this (could be) the turning point last night."
On what she wants the team to accomplish the next couple weeks:
"Winning, (gaining) momentum and changing the culture of always losing. People have come out on the short end a lot of times and they expect it. Basketball is a game of momentum and swings and runs and you are not going to beat everybody 80 to 40, but if you don't have a culture of winning then little runs can burry you. To gain momentum for this team, if we are able to get to the 16-win mark, we potentially could get a WNIT bid. A lot of things have to happen, the right people have to win in the tournament and you just do not know. That is a little low (chance), but it is not out of the realm of thinking. For a team as young as ours is and to have the opportunity to experience a one and done, I think would be huge. To me, obviously I am not going to turn down winning the conference tournament, but I am saying best-case scenario outside of that,(an WNIT bid) is a huge thing to play for as well as their best finish ever in league."