Head Coach Brenda Frese
Opening Statement:
"I really liked how we shared the basketball. When you talk about our lowest amount of turnovers, I just think we were extremely unselfish and made easily plays for each other offensively. Credit Michigan State, they came in really aggressive and took it to us rebounding-wise to start the game. Once we were able to get our rhythm and our defense going in transition, I think that we were really able to break it open. Our depth tonight, to be able to send waves into the game, was really important where we could wear Michigan State down tonight. Using our depth is going to be really important for us moving forward."
On the team's depth:
"Michigan State came into tonight with a knock-out punch early and wanted to start really strong. As a staff, we needed to weather that and as the game unfolded we would be able to break it open. Aerial Powers is very talented and hurt us in a lot of ways, but I think we were able to really utilize our depth and unselfishness in terms of how we played."
On the defensive strategy for Aerial Powers:
"Well she tried to foul out half of our team, so we had to throw different looks to her. She is just a really difficult match up when you talk about her size, her power, her fakes, her rebounding ability. She's really really talented obviously, 28 [points] and 16 [rebounds] on the night against a defense that is really good; credit to how she played tonight."
On the turning point to start a first-half run:
"When we get stops and then go into transition, I think we really feed of that. Our transition play and how we make plays, I think we can talk about how unselfish our guard play is and looking inside for the play."
On the offensive strategy:
"We wanted to get inside-outside play and be able to attack. Give credit to our guards for taking wide open looks - they just weren't falling. I think we do a really good job seeing what's not working and adjusting. Malina Howard came ready to play and was really agressive, and the guards were really unselfish trying to get her more touches."
On the 10-game winning streak and being undefeated in the Big Ten:
"I heard that tonight and obviously I'm proud for our players because they are the ones who have kept that streak alive. But it doesn't mean a lot if we don't continue it, so we have to remain humble and hungry and continue to improve and get better."
Senior Guard Laurin Mincy
On what made the team successful:
"Just piggybacking on what Coach B said, just pressuring the ball and getting stops on defense. It led us to transition, that's our staple and that's what we did."
On the run to start the second half:
"I thought it was very important. Every game we're going to get everyones best punch. Michigan State has a a lot of fight. They only have seven players but we knew they were going to come in and keep fighting in the second half so we wanted to give them no more life."
Junior Center Malina Howard
On what made her successful tonight:
"We've been working really hard this week on going inside the post in practice. My teammates just gave me a lot of confidence. After the first time I scored they told me to just keep posting up and that they couldn't guard me inside. So just my teammates giving me a lot of confidence."
Sophomore Guard Lexie Brown
On finding her teammates:
"I think a lot of my passes came in transition and also when Kiara [Leslie] came in the game, she's so fast so I just gave her the ball. She's so athletic so I knew she was going to finish those. A lot of my assists come in transition so when we get the rebound and get out and run a lot of teams can't keep up with us so I just throw the ball ahead and our guards, like Minc and Shatori [Walker-Kimbrough], they finish so easily so I just give them the ball."
On the team having fun:
"We want to get to that point. I feel like we have our best runs when we have the most fun. When we start playing all 40minutes like that we're going to be scary. The moments that we do have those runs of having so much fun, we're unstoppable I think."
Michigan State Head Coach Suzy Merchant
On playing Maryland with a short bench:
"I've never been in a situation where you lose four-of-five starters, so it makes it difficult. We knew it was going to be difficult coming in here, but with seven kids and only five scholarship kids, it makes it difficult, especially the way they play with their transition and rebounding."
On Aerial Powers' performance:
"She's doing everything she can, we just need a couple more people to step up. Every eye in the gym is on her and she's getting double teamed. We need a couple more people to play with her enthusiasm and her energy. Right now, she's the one that has been the most consistent, competitive and driven. We're just riding her as long as we can. She's a special talent and a great kid."
On Maryland playing in the Big Ten:
"They are a good team and they're coming off a Final Four. They have defense, athleticism and power at the same time. I think they are by far the best team in the league. I think Brenda has done a great job here. I think they represent our conference well and have a great team."
