UConn 87, Syracuse 62: Postgame Quotes
Syracuse Head Coach Quentin Hillsman
On Kayla Alexander being in foul trouble most of the game:
“It definitely made a difference. We played a really good team and she only played 11 minutes. When your best player only plays 11 minutes and takes five shots that’s not good.”
Can you talk about what they did to get her in foul trouble?
“Stefanie (Dolson) made a lot of shots in the high post and drew Kayla out. Kayla got those two fouls early and had to come out of the game. Obviously they did a great job of spreading us out and moving the ball. They just kept coming and being aggressive going for the ball on the rebound.”
Your team is 15-2 now, 3-1 in the BIG EAST. Is your team showing you what you wanted at this point in the season?
“We have tough kids. They are just tough. This is a tough place to play in. They (UConn) draw well and they are a good team. We knew that going in. We wanted to play good for 40 minutes and ended up playing good for about 33 minutes. There were seven minutes that we didn’t play well at the end.”
How do you think the freshmen did?
“I think they did really well. All I wanted them to do was come out and compete. I thought they competed every possession. That’s all you ask from them.”
Can you talk about the play of Rachel Coffey?
“Rachel’s a good player. I always talk to Rachel about accepting her role and she does that. She’s coming off the bench this year and she’s really helped us. She’s aggressive and you know when she gets the ball. She’s a good player.”
On the 3-point shooting of Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis:
“Kaleena shoots two or three steps away from the 3-point line. That’s tough. She’s a great shooter. She’s shoots 50 percent from the 3-point line and we knew that. She got free a few times and made her shots.”
On the play of Breanna Stewart:
“She’s a good player. I’ve seen Breanna play for a long time and she’s a great kid. I wish her a lot of luck and a lot of success.”
Syracuse guard Brianna Butler
On the game:
“I think we did play very well. They are a good team but we did a good job with what we needed to do.”
On Kayla Alexander missing much of the game due to foul trouble:
“Kayla’s definitely our go-to player. She leads us in points and rebounds so it put us in a bit of hole, her being out.”
What does UConn do that other teams that you’ve played don’t?
“Obviously, UConn is a really good team. They move the ball very well and take advantage of short corners. They were able to move the ball faster than us tonight.”
Are you still a confident team after tonight?
“I think this game was an eye-opener for us. It gives us something to work on for our next games. I think it will make us a stronger team.”
On Kayla Alexander being in foul trouble most of the game:
“It definitely made a difference. We played a really good team and she only played 11 minutes. When your best player only plays 11 minutes and takes five shots that’s not good.”
Can you talk about what they did to get her in foul trouble?
“Stefanie (Dolson) made a lot of shots in the high post and drew Kayla out. Kayla got those two fouls early and had to come out of the game. Obviously they did a great job of spreading us out and moving the ball. They just kept coming and being aggressive going for the ball on the rebound.”
Your team is 15-2 now, 3-1 in the BIG EAST. Is your team showing you what you wanted at this point in the season?
“We have tough kids. They are just tough. This is a tough place to play in. They (UConn) draw well and they are a good team. We knew that going in. We wanted to play good for 40 minutes and ended up playing good for about 33 minutes. There were seven minutes that we didn’t play well at the end.”
How do you think the freshmen did?
“I think they did really well. All I wanted them to do was come out and compete. I thought they competed every possession. That’s all you ask from them.”
Can you talk about the play of Rachel Coffey?
“Rachel’s a good player. I always talk to Rachel about accepting her role and she does that. She’s coming off the bench this year and she’s really helped us. She’s aggressive and you know when she gets the ball. She’s a good player.”
On the 3-point shooting of Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis:
“Kaleena shoots two or three steps away from the 3-point line. That’s tough. She’s a great shooter. She’s shoots 50 percent from the 3-point line and we knew that. She got free a few times and made her shots.”
On the play of Breanna Stewart:
“She’s a good player. I’ve seen Breanna play for a long time and she’s a great kid. I wish her a lot of luck and a lot of success.”
Syracuse guard Brianna Butler
On the game:
“I think we did play very well. They are a good team but we did a good job with what we needed to do.”
On Kayla Alexander missing much of the game due to foul trouble:
“Kayla’s definitely our go-to player. She leads us in points and rebounds so it put us in a bit of hole, her being out.”
What does UConn do that other teams that you’ve played don’t?
“Obviously, UConn is a really good team. They move the ball very well and take advantage of short corners. They were able to move the ball faster than us tonight.”
Are you still a confident team after tonight?
“I think this game was an eye-opener for us. It gives us something to work on for our next games. I think it will make us a stronger team.”
