20070118 Arizona vs. USC Postgame Quotes

Arizona Women’s Basketball<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Arizona</st1:place></st1:State> vs. USC <o:p></o:p> January 18, 2007<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Arizona Head Coach Joan Bonvicini <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “This was a game that we should have won. We played good in the first half. We played good defense and got to the free throw line but we couldn’t sustain it. I didn’t like how we put them on the line early in the second half. We had moments of being very good, but we need to put a whole 40 minute game together.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “I didn’t like how, when things went bad, the body language would change. It’s because we haven’t won. This team is right on the verge, but our mental toughness has to start.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “Joy showed that she can play and score with the best in the Pac-10.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “I think we need to focus on fundamentals and encourage the players. It’s not what happens, but how we handle it. We will have a good practice tomorrow and come out and win on Saturday.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> (On Governor Napolitano coaching on Saturday)<o:p></o:p> “She has been a big supporter of our program since the beginning. We will be honored to have her on the bench on Saturday.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Arizona</st1:place></st1:State> Player Quotes<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Senior Guard Joy Hollingsworth<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> On the mental game<o:p></o:p> “I think that mental toughness comes with winning, so we don’t have it right now. I take the blame for not stepping up and being more of a leader for my team.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> On losing<o:p></o:p> “We are on the verge of winning. What is going to help is if we can sustain the sense of urgency that we have during the first half.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “During the first half, we had a lot of energy and we were moving the ball. But in the second half, we fell apart. We got down on ourselves and we basically beat ourselves.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Sophomore Forward Amina Njonkou<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> On her individual performance<o:p></o:p> “I think that I played hard at times, but I know that I have to get better for Saturday (against UCLA). I need to play harder for the entire 40 minutes.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> On her physical play (rebounding, defense)<o:p></o:p> “That’s my game. That is just how I play, but I just need to bring that sort of play in every game.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> USC Head Coach Mark Trakh<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “I thought it was a good game. Both teams played well. There were some exciting things. We did a good job defensively in the last couple of minutes. Either team could have won down the stretch. It was a situation where some of our shots fell at the end. We were fortunate because this is not an easy place to win.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “I think it was physical on both sides. It was about even; both teams were physical and went at each other. Amina (Njonkou) was fantastic. So was (Joy) Hollingsworth. Amina was a load. They killed us in transition. They have great guards that push it up the floor.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> On Shay Murphy<o:p></o:p> “She has been a good leader but a reluctant go-to player. We finally said, ?hey you have to be a go-to player.’ She is learning to step up. After her sophomore year we had some success and it really kicked in for her. She is a great kid and I am privileged to have her on my team.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Senior guard Shay Murphy<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “The coaches, staff and my teammates told me to stay positive and keep shooting. I tried to attack and I got to the free throw line. After that shots started falling.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p>

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20070118 Arizona vs. USC Postgame Quotes