Jan. 2, 2004
Recap|
Box Score
Head coach Brenda Frese:
On Maryland's 68-56 victory over NC State
"We're ecstatic to set the tone like we did tonight and to see the unselfish basketball we're playing right now. Ever since coming back from the Christmas break, we have a renewed sense of focus and intensity. I can't say enough about the post play of Delvona Oliver and Crystal Washington tonight, they brought it inside for our post presence. We also had great perimeter players that were able to step up and make shots. It was just a tremendous overall team win for us."
"I'm thrilled with the win. Even when we got a little rattled at the end we stepped up and made our free throws. I'm excited about this team. They are a pleasure to watch while they keep getting better and better."
"This game really builds confidence. When you talk about NC State and their tradition, I obviously have a lot of respect for Kay Yow and what she has done with that program. It's a measuring tool for us in terms of where we're going with this program."
On outrebounding the Wolfpack, 51-37
"It was great to see. Our focus all year has been on our defense and our rebounding. To see those two things carry us in the game tonight was great to see. It was by far our best defensive effort all season and we played great team defense. To be able to get on the boards the way we did and outrebound them the way we did, it gives us a lot of opportunities."
Senior forward Crystal Washington:
On pulling down 13 rebounds
"We had a focus on boxing out. When all five players box out, it makes it easy because the ball came to me. I worked really hard and focused on rebounding. If I can rebound I can score."
Freshman guard Kalika France
On her career-high 19 points
"I felt really good tonight. I wanted to help my team in any way possible. I wanted to bring it today because I know this game is as important as any other game. Personally, I'm in much better shape than I was in the beginning of the season. I am understanding the offense more and really just working hard. My hard work is paying off.
NC State head coach Kay Yow
On the team's loss
"It's a disappointing loss for us. The big statistic in the game was their 23 offensive rebounds. Up to this point, we had some great games and rebounded well. But tonight, we just were not there and offenseively we struggled. We missed early, easy shots and then they hit some big shots. Their confidence went up and ours went down. That was pretty much the game when it is all said and done."
On Terp freshman Kalika France
"Our young players weren't boxing out. Kalika France, a guard, had 10 rebounds. We did a great job on Doron, we couldn't get it done on France. She plays with a lot of confidence as a freshman. We didn't challenge her much as a defensive player, but she handles the ball very well. She can rise, stop and take a jumper and make tough shots."
