Dec. 30, 2008
GONZAGA HEAD COACH Kelly Graves - DECEMBER 30, 2008
I was very disappointed. I thought for a lot of that game, we showed that we could play with them. There was stretch in the middle of the second half where they really picked up the intensity and put us on the heels.
We didn't answer their intensity.
I thought there were opportunities for us to stay in that basketball game.
We didn't elevate our intensity the way they did.
They are a good basketball team.
We executed our game plan well in the first half and early on in the second half. In those key moments we turned over the ball and couldn't recover.
We had some opportunities. Shooting 30% in the second half didn't help, you cant beat a team of that caliber shooting 30%. We had some good looks but the shots wouldn't fall. Against a great team like that you have to play like that.
The atmosphere was phenomenal. It was a great night for the community and for a lot of the night we gave them something to cheer about. Unfortunately in the ending didn't work out.
This was the toughest team we have faced this season and will be the toughest until the post season.
We did a lot of good things but their size and athleticism took over.
I think we showed we can play with a team like that and we need to carry that over into the rest of the season.
Tonight we showcased women's basketball in a great basketball community.
Coach Summit is a class act. She is a great coach, we are honored they came and played us.
Hopefully we build off of this.
We did a good job defending Angie until late in the first half. But shes a great player.
It will hopefully be a lessoned learned and will help us down the road.
We had some good looks to start in the second half but then they went on a run and we couldn't battle back.
They stepped up the intensity on the boards. Their size and athleticism took over.
For the most part we took care of the ball but didn't rebound and hit second half shots.
They had more depth than us and that just wore us down.
Obviously they are a well coached team, one of the greatest in the game of basketball.
We had some good looks coming off screens but get some shots to fall.
They close out great on the defensive end. Their length was a factor.
We played at a great pace in the first half but Tennessee played at a higher level of intensity of first half.
Their pressure and length got to us. There is no way to prepare for that.
Angie is the difference maker for that team. They are a better team when she's on the floor. She is the key to their team. She can stretch the defense, a calming influence, one of the smartest players.
