Dec. 23, 2004

Recap |  Box Score |  Notes

Head Coach Gary Williams
On tonight's game:
"John Gilchrist was very solid in the second half, not just scoring but getting us into our offense and getting us set up, which is important in order for us to play well. We were pretty good when we were going at both ends of the court, like we did the second half. We played at a good emotional level and probably turned it on when we started the press. We've got to get to the point where we can turn it on without pressing. Hopefully we're learning some things, and we'll see how it plays out."

On the Terps' tenacious full-court defensive pressure:
"You can really be embarrassed if you don't go hard in the press. It's a gambling press, but what I was hoping was that [American] might be a little tired, so the combination of the press and them being tired would work. We probably have a little more depth even though we're down to 10 guys right now."

On the debut of junior transfer Sterling Ledbetter:
"That was important. He was fine, he did OK. I wanted him to get his feet wet tonight and we'll go from here. Nobody says that you're not allowed to play Sterling and John at the same time. There will be nights where, with foul trouble, Sterling will be able to play some in the backcourt."

Maryland Forward Travis Garrison
On the Maryland victory:
"This was a good win for us right before Christmas. Now we can have a Merry Christmas. We have to work on some things and can't lose sight of that when we come back."

On being a versatile big-man:
"You have to be versatile at my size. There are guys in the ACC who are my size and can step out on the perimeter, or guys who I have to guard who can step outside. It challenges me, and I like challenges. I just go out there and play my best."

On playing tough inside:
"I can't just rely on my jump shot. I worked hard enough over the summer to be able to penetrate to the basket or finish strong on the inside. I had a chance to do some of that tonight."

On a short holiday break:
"I'm very excited. I'm looking forward to having some fun, spending time with my family and eating some good food."

Maryland Forward Nik Caner-Medley
On the difference in halves:
"We played a lot better in the second half. It wasn't necessarily anything we did differently. We came out kind of flat, but in the second half we played with more intensity."

On the upcoming schedule:
"These next couple of games are real important for us. We need to start games better than [we did tonight], but we take a lot of positive things from the game, especially the way we played in the second half."

On how Maryland plays its best:
"It was very important for us to end the game playing the second half the way we did. When we enjoy ourselves and don't just go through the motions, that's when we're at our best. Over the next couple of days, we can spend time with our families and reflect on that."

American Head Coach Jeff Jones
On the second half:
"I think we got worn down. Maryland just kept coming at us and then during that one [16-0] stretch, I think Gary [Williams] saw that we looked a little bit tired and we put it on the press and they got after us pretty good, and we didn't respond. We missed some shots, we turned the ball over, which resulted in quick baskets at the other end."

On his team's performance:
"We played pretty well for 30 minutes or so. We gave it an effort, but when you get tired, if you want to be able to compete against teams like this, you have to come up with a special effort. And that means even when your lungs are burning and your legs feel like lead, you still have to be able to think and you still have to be able to get up and down the court and do the things that you were doing prior to that."