Oregon State vs. South Dakota State Quotes
Oregon State Quotes:
Head Coach Scott Rueck
Opening Comment:
“What a gutsy and great win for our program. It was a great atmosphere for women’s basketball and what an incredible crowd for 2 PM on a Friday. I’m impressed, but not surprised. Just like I said yesterday, [South Dakota State] is a very well coached, well disciplined, hard-nosed, talented basketball team. We knew they were going to come in swinging to punch us first and they did that. They were laser focused, knocking shots, and their posts were hitting threes. They played a great game today and we beat a very good basketball team. I was really happy to see us relax, especially in the second half when we got to playing our kind of basketball. I thought our defense was at a different level in the second half. That was really the difference in the game as we imposed our will a little bit more. You never know what two weeks off will do to you and the impact of it. That played a role out there today and we had to remember what it feels like out there [on the court]. I’m proud of the team and grateful for the W.
On the feel of the game...
“It’s cool to see the NCAA logo up. It’s the only blue I have liked to see in our gym. The feel was a little bit different – the band was in a different place, we were watching NCAA commercials on the board in pre-game instead of having music, and had to a more sterile feel. It’s supposed to have that neutral feel, but you look up to the sea of orange on both sides and the end zones and it’s comforting. “
On the team looking to have more aggressive play in post during the 2nd half…
“That was something we were talking about during the first half also. What was different was our defense, that’s just what makes us go. One of the things we talked about during halftime was that they only had four turnovers in the first half. We’re not a team that is going to force a ton of turnovers but we should be getting more than that. The first two possessions of the second half really set the tone, blocking a shot and forcing a turnover. Once we get into that rhythm the offense feels more normal and everyone gets a little more aggressive. It’s a comforting feeling when we are forcing the tempo and we are controlling the intensity of play instead of allowing them.”
On if he had a sense of panic early…
“I didn’t like it, but at the same time I understood that it’s the first half in a game against a team that’s used to winning and we haven’t played for two weeks so that kept me sane during that time. It’s never easy to see your team struggle and not play like you know they are capable. I was pushing for them to get gritty defensively and give that extra effort we need, it’s something that comes with time and with this team it’s coming sooner or later. We need to start games from now on like we did in the second half.”
On if the foul trouble for SDSU had anything to do with OSU 2nd half run…
It could have. It changed their rotation, but this is a team that’s deep. When 40 went out, 21 or 0 comes in and they can hurt you in different ways. They have so many interchangeable parts that they can handle foul trouble.
Ali Gibson
On the talk at half...
“We talked about bringing in energy that we hadn’t had ion the first half. We haven’t played in two weeks and South Dakota State came out strong so we had to get back to our fundamentals and get defensive stops. I think we did that in the second half.”
Ruth Hamblin
On coming out in the second half...
“We remembered who we are and we came out and played hard. We got the looks that we needed and those are the looks that we make.”
On her points in the paint...
“I think I was a bit more aggressive to the rim. I needed to score for my team and the guards did a great job getting the ball to me, too.”
Comeback late in the first...
“We got traction defensively and found our rhythm to confirm our identity on defense.”
On the home court advantage...
“It’s really special. Having people do the wave and hearing them say ‘OSU’, the atmosphere is really cool and Beaver Nation has really brought their support and we love having it.”
Sydney Wiese
On being behind at the end of the first half...
“Definitely give credit to South Dakota State. They came out punching and weren’t afraid of us. They really tested us today and we’re thankful for that opportunity to see that early on. This is going to instill a new passion – a new fire – as we move forward. Can’t wait to get back to work tomorrow and be ready for Sunday.”
On her inside-out plays...
“I thought I had to be more aggressive and open it up for myself and my teammates. There were a lot of opportunities to go inside-out. Whether it is taking it to the basket or kicking it out for a three we had to create a little bit more offensively.”
On finding their flow...
“It took us a while and all the credit goes to South Dakota State. They came out fighting and ready to play. I thought we handled it decently and didn’t allow a big lead. We had a good run at the end of the first and they came back, but the second half was a different story. South Dakota State should be proud about their play today and they’ll be tough to face in the coming years.”
South Dakota State Quotes:
Head Coach Aaron Johnston
Opening Comment:
“Congratulations to Oregon State. They played a very good game and really good second half. They had a stretch in the beginning of the second half where they made some shots early on. We got a little bit out of rhythm and our defense wasn’t quite as sharp the second half and Oregon States offense was really good. I’m pleased with how we played and how things went we needed to be better in that second half. Oregon State played very well and at a high level and we just weren’t able to maintain. I’m proud of our year and proud of our seniors. We will move on and get ready for whatever comes next.”
On coming in at first with lots of intensity and settling for outside shots when Oregon State went of a run…
“I thought we might have been a little passive. Oregon States defense is good they don’t make it easy to get layups. They hit some 3’s not a lot of them in the first half but we still didn’t defend the 3-point line very well. We went into the locker room with a two point lead at the half though. In the locker room we talked about how import it was to rid the little series were we weren’t scoring and get ourselves back. We also talk about how that was going to happen in the second half. Our start to the second half just wasn’t good enough.”
On what Sydney Weise was able to do against them…
“She is really good at coming off multiple ball screens, she will do it 2-3 times in one possession and you get caught chasing her and eventually she gets you underneath one and hits it. First half we did a pretty good job defending her but second half we got caught under to many of them.”
On if he thought the bigger stronger team won in the end…
“Yeah I think so they are a very good team and a three seed that could really be a two seed. I don’t know if I would say we wore down but their players made more plays. I know we a better free-throw team in the country even if it didn’t look like it today, but those things make a difference. When you are down points at the free-throw line make a huge difference. I’m really disappointed that we lost but we didn’t play good enough to when and Oregon State did.”
Senior Forward, Mariah Clarin
On how special it was to be on this team the past four years…
“It has been awesome. We have such a connected team and a bond that a lot of teams probably don’t have. The freshmen contribute just as much as the seniors which is something you don’t get very many places.”
On Ruth Hamblin and if she had trouble adjusting to the high, low…
“Yeah, I mean she is a really good player. She is 6’6, any team is going to have trouble adjusting to that.”
On a stretch of about five minutes without scoring and how tough it was to play Oregon States zone…
“I think we were just playing more passive. We weren’t really going to the ball and attacking. We also had some open looks that we passed up.”
On if the crowd was a factor in the second half…
“We are used to playing in front of a big crowd. When you are not playing very well and they have a big crowd it doesn’t help any.”
Parting words of advice…
“I would tell them that we have proven that we can compete with the best and that is why we are here and why we play for the Jack Rabbits. They have the opportunity to play with the best and I think they are going to do that.”
Senior Guard, Megan Waytashek
On how special it was to be on this team the past four years…
“I couldn’t have asked for a better five year. It was so special and I am so blessed to be here with these teammates and my coaches. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”
On if she felt they had some opportunities late in the game…
“We had good looks for players that wanted to take the spots but sometimes they just don’t fall.”
Freshmen Guard, Macy Miller
On the turnovers in the second half…
“I feel like we came over very passive and we weren’t hitting the shots that we were the first half. We had some crucial turnovers and they were getting some good looks.”
On being a young team and how this experience is good for them…
“It is a great experience for us. We are a young team and coming in here and getting that experience will really help us for the future. I just want to thank the seniors for everything, it was a great year.”
