USF vs. Cincinnati
Post Game Quotes
February 28, 2009
USF Sun Dome - Tampa, Fla.
Head Coach Jose Fernandez
“We knew we were going to have a tough game ? J. Kelley Hall has done a great job at Cincinnati taking that program over. We told our kids that they've had a lot of adversity and they've played with short numbers ? last year and this year ? they lost (Shelly Bellman) early, that is a big part of their team, she went down in front of our bench with a knee injury. Those kids battled and competed ? we're up 14 at half and we shot 60% from the floor in the second half, we just didn't guard anyone, we stopped playing. I think our kids lost focused ? you got a big lead and you quit defending and you can't do that against any team in this league.”
On the seniors:
“Our last five years we haven't lost on Senior Night ? we told them that. With a big group like (Shantia Grace), (Ashley) Sanders, our two transfers and (Jasmine Sepulveda) that was big. Look at Jasmine's last game here, she has 14 points, 13 assists ? I told our team and our staff especially after the game. Everyone talks about Jessica Dixon and what she has done for our program as the all-time leading scorer but Shantia Grace has done just as much ? she is a kid that is going to graduate that has gone to four post-seasons. She had 19 points and our two posts, our two other seniors had double-figures too.”
On Jessica Lawson and Brittany Denson:
“I think when you're a guard oriented team and you shoot the ball as well as we do from three it opens up the paint and both Jessica and Brittany are an inside presence. Our players did a good job finding those two tonight.”
On the back and forth nature of the game:
“It wasn't back and forth, we were up as much as 22, they made an 8-2 run to finish the half and we were up 14 at halftime. The lead stood at 14 or 15 for a while, then it got to about the four or five minute mark where we had an eight point lead, we missed two shots of the 10 that we missed in the second half and they hit back-to-back threes so that shrunk the lead.”
On how big the seniors have been for USF in 2009:
“We start four of them so that is a big part. We wanted them to go out on a good note, but not only that, every one of those five kids is going to graduate and get their degree, that is big.”
Senior Guard Shantia Grace
On this team versus the last NCAA tournament team:
“That team had a lot of senior leadership ? me being a freshman they taught me a lot. I had to grow up real fast, I became starting point guard starting in the exhibition games. I think the difference was they knew what to expect to win the game, they knew what to expect and how tough it is to win. They had that kind of leadership.”
On becoming the second leading scorer in USF history:
“It is a great accomplishment, I wasn't thinking about it on the court, I just wanted to play hard and win for my friends and family. Now that I'm thinking about it I think it is a great accomplishment to be in the record books again.”
On Senior Day:
“Us seniors we love to win and be competitive. For it to be senior night, no one wants to lose on their special night, we just wanted to come out and play hard and get this win for us.”
Senior Guard Jasmine Sepulveda
On the game:
“It is an important game, we have to get our minds focused and be prepared for (the Villanova game) because it is one we have to win. It is a quick turn around and an important win.”
On the late-game Cincinnati run:
“During that time I wasn't surprised because we stood together and held our composure. We knew we had to come down and score and then get a stop. I think we did a good job answering that.”
On her double-double in her final home game:
“It makes me feel good. To be honest when I had eight assists I was thinking I needed two more so I told (Shantia) and Janae I'm going to pass you the ball, I don't care which just get me to two. They actually did that for me and I was happy ? it just feels good.”
