Head Coach Brenda Frese
Opening statement:
"I thought it was a nice solid win for us. I was obviously a little disappointed in us with our starts to begin the game and the second half, but I thought once we worked through that we had some really good possessions. When you talk about being able to get on the glass and really get out in our transition, I thought that we were really unselfish in our assist-to-turnover ratio and in utilizing our depth. I thought our depth was a big difference in this game in terms of nine players played in the first half and being able to send waves out on the floor."
On protecting the ball better:
"I think it's more of a comfort level with our team. I think our chemistry is really growing together. I think they have a better feel for where each other is at. You saw that great play when Lexie [Brown] was hit on the backdoor pass in the first half. Those are just plays where they're finding each other now, and I think that really helps with chemistry along with the amount of games played together."
On Purdue cutting Maryland's lead from 20 to 11 points:
"It's definitely something to evaluate. I think our defense was really average throughout the course of this game. We're a better defensive team and that's losing focus to a degree with our effort and our energy. It's definitely something to correct and we can improve on. It's something that will keep us hungry."
Sophomore Guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
On if she focuses on leading the team in scoring:
“Not really. We just take what the defense gives us. I remember when we came out of a media timeout, Chloe [Pavlich] said, 'Sweet Mince,' and so we kept going to [Laurin] Mincy since she had the hot hand. It’s whatever the team needs.”
Sophomore Center Brionna Jones
On working in the paint:
“I just tried to get on the boards and get second opportunities for my team.”
On her double-double:
“I think I was pretty dominant today, but that just comes from my teammates finding me when I was open.”
Junior Guard Chloe Pavlech
On her role with the team
“Coach Frese and I had a meeting the other day and I told her that I would do whatever the team needs me to do. When I came in, I felt like in that moment we were struggling offensively and we couldn’t get stops on defense. I knew we needed a spark and I just have to remember to make the most of my opportunities.”
Purdue Head Coach Sharon Versyp
On the game:
"Maryland is a really good basketball team. They have so much depth that wears people down. They can just rotate players in and out, and it wears other teams down. We felt like we controlled the tempo at points, but when they were just able to get out and run up and down, that's where they got us."
On controlling the tempo at the beginning of both halves:
"I think it was our adjustments. We caught them on their heels those two times. We knew that they would gradually get used to it and make their runs. They just killed us on the boards. They had 23 offensive boards and second-chance opportunities that were part of the game."
