George Washington vs. Gonzaga
POSTGAME QUOTES – Gonzaga
Head Coach Lisa Fortier
Opening comment:
“I’m really proud and excited for our team and especially for our two seniors here with us today. I loved the way we battled. It was not an easy game to win and we battled through adversity. I am very happy with our performance.”
On Sunny’s end of shot clock three...
“Thank goodness that she got the shot off and it wasn’t a turnover. She is the best mid-range shooter I’ve seen in a long time and she has that kind of range, but she is capable at scoring at the block and we would like to get [the post] look more than we have to rely on her from three.”
On teams playing in the Northwest and the game against Oregon State on Sunday...
“There are a lot of fun things that can happen in the NCAA tournament. I’m looking forward to Oregon State and Scott Rueck has done a great job with the program [at Oregon State] and they’ve had a great season, as well. This is where we would most like to play – right here in our Northwest. We are comfortable here and it is exciting for our team. Playing here will be a little bit different, but it’s the post season, so it doesn’t matter.”
Sunny Greinacher, Gonzaga
On experience thus far as a senior...
“I think staying calm, at the end, especially, is what we took from our previous games in the NCAA, even when you’re [leading on the scoreboard]. Just knowing that we have nothing to lose, especially in the first round, you just go all out to make it to the next round or all you did was make it to the first round.”
On hitting her three...
“The reason why I hit that three was because I didn’t think that much. I found that to be a key of success. Just to not have the score or the time on my mind, but just to play [and get the shot off].”
On being the underdog throughout her career...
“A lot of the time, it puts you in a better position to be the underdog. To have that mindset lets you go out there do some damage and leave it all out there because you don’t have that pressure or be the team that gets upset.”
Keani Albanez, Gonzaga
On experience thus far as a senior...
“I think knowing that this could have been our last game. Leaving it all out on the floor is what we had to do to get it done and get us to where we need to be.”
On being the underdog throughout her career...
“I think we’ve always been that underdog. It’s nothing new to us.”
On her shooting percentage...
“It’s just repetition in practice. Not thinking about [the shot] also helps a lot. The reps make me feel comfortable and seeing the ball go in makes me more comfortable, too.”
POSTGAME QUOTES – George Washington
Head Coach Jonathan Tsipis
Opening Statement
“I want to congratulate Gonzaga, their team and coaching staff had a really well-played game. I think they showed in the first half why they are a special team especially offensively. I thought the production was spread across the board. I don’t think we got into a good offensive rhythm and I give Gonzaga credit in changing defenses with using press and zone a little bit more. I would like to talk about our team a little bit but again I wish Gonzaga the best of luck in their game Saturday. It is a GW team that three years ago was 11-18 and before that they were 6-8. I think this team now is back at the point where GW basketball should be nationally and that’s ranked in the top 20. We are coming off of a tournament championship for the A-10. In the second half we got the lead down to 6 a couple of times. We had a lot of unbelievable moments this season though and I’m very proud of this group. They never quit and always continued to battle.”
On if Gonzaga’s guards got more looks than they were happy with…
“Yeah, especially in the first half I think when we were fronting the post. We talked at half time that we thought our weak side help was staying too long.”
On 29% shooting and if it was the season low…
“I memorize a lot of things but I don’t memorize our season low. You don’t win a lot of games shooting that low though. I think of those missed shots several were in the paint and we should have made them. I think it is a matter of making sure we are squared and hitting the back board. We have put some teams at that percentage though.”
Jonquel Jones, Georgia Washington
On how her early fouls affected her performance in the game...
"It didn't affect me much. It really didn't change my mind set. They played a great first half and they did what they needed to do in order to advance through the tournament."
On what the team is looking towards next season...
"I'm just looking forward to what we're bringing back next season. Unfortunately we're graduating two seniors, who are people that we're going to miss, but in terms of growing as a team we have a lot of things to look forward to. This is first taste of the NCAA tournament for anyone on our team and now we know what it's like to come into this kind of environment."
Kelli Prange, Georgia Washington
On what adjustment the team was able to make to score inside...
"They start three very good post players and going into the game we knew we had to work to get position."
