Dec. 9, 2009
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SAN DIEGO -
San Diego State head coach Steve Fisher
On dominating a team that beat UCLA earlier this season on the road:
"We did for a good stretch, but whether it was fatigue or frustration over free-throw (misses), we did not guard the way you have to guard if you really want to be successful. I thought in the second half our defense let us down. That being said, (Cal State) Fullerton made some shots from the perimeter. Jer'Vaughn Johnson came back home and lit us up, he had 19 points and played sensational for them. I told (head coach) Bob (Burton) after the game that, I know he wasn't happy with not getting a win, but they played hard. They are going to be a good team down the road."
On getting up some points early on in the game:
"I really didn't expect that. We got up 16 at half and I reminded them that when New Mexico State played at Cal State Fullerton, New Mexico State was up, 25-3, and got beat by 11. I said this game is not over and they are going to compete, they are going to come after us and they did just that."
On the play of freshman Kawhi Leonard:
"Eighteen numbers was kind of shocking. Kawhi plays hard. He pursues the ball aggressively and if he gets a piece of the ball, it's his. That's the way he pursues it. We need to get a couple more guys who are doing that same thing. He was exhausted, but I told him, "I'm not taking you out, I expect you to go and get one more rebound.
"He doesn't look like a freshmen, he doesn't have a body like one. He's 225 pounds and strong. He's not afraid to go in there and have someone elbow him in the nose, he'll get after it. We knew we had a keeper when we got him now we have to help him get better. We have to keep him growing and keep him hungry, but he is going to be a terrific player for us."
On shooting just 40.6 percent (13-for-32) from the free-throw line:
"It's one of those things when you start to miss them and the next guy goes up there and says, `I hope I don't keep the streak alive.' That's what happened. Billy (White) was indicative of that tonight. He's a good free-throw shooter. You have to believe you are a good free-throw shooter and it's going to go in. I told them that after the game. We need to get better."
On Saturday's Arizona game:
"We have not beaten Arizona since I've been here. I'm anxious to compete. It's going to be a raucous crowd and a great atmosphere. It's going to be a really good test for us to see if we are able to do what we could not do last year, that is get a marquee non-conference victory. We need our fans to be here on Saturday. We need our students to come in mass and get our crowd going. Without a doubt, that will make a huge difference for us."
San Diego State freshman forward Kawhi Leonard
On his comfort level: "I am feeling more confident due to the experience and playing more games. The first game I really didn't know how the competition was going to be. Now I just prepare everyday at practice and try to get better because I know what is expected in the game."
On if he thought he would have a huge all-around game so soon in his career:
"I thought I would gradually get one of these types of games in, but not in the beginning because I didn't have the experience. I just knew if I kept working at it, sooner or later, it would gradually come."
San Diego State junior forward Billy White
On Kawhi Leonard:
"He has grown into a great player. He is out there rebounding; he leads us in rebounding. He is scoring some points. I think he is going to be a great player in this league as soon as we get into conference (play). He is working his behind off in practice, getting extra shots up, staying after practice and working on his game. It's showing on the court. He is a (great) athlete. He is getting every rebound, knocking down the jumper and going into the lane. He is doing pretty good right now. Our team is very proud of him."
On Tim  Shelton's presence in his first game of 2009-10:
"It helped us a lot. He is an energy player. He is a leader. I am just glad he could play, test the waters and see what he could do. I think he did pretty well. Unfortunately, he couldn't play the full game, but he helped us a lot when he was in there. He gave us an extra boost and extra energy when he was in there. Our team is proud of him that he was able to come out in front of the home crowd."
On the team's free-throw shooting:
"It was an off night for us. Unfortunately, nobody could make a free throw tonight. Most of them were in and out. We just couldn't buy one tonight. We were just off tonight. We have to get better, get back in the gym, work on our free throws and work on the stuff we need to do to get ready for Arizona on Saturday."