Bowling Green State University Athletics
Quoting Coach Miller
December 11, 2005 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 10, 2005
MIAMI, Fla. - Quoting Bowling Green State University women's basketball head coach Curt Miller after the Falcons' 67-56 win at Florida International...
"That was an unbelievable performance. We played a gutty second half; we stepped up and made shots. (FIU) is a quality basketball team that has won 82 percent of their home games over the last 20 years. No one comes in here and beats this team, and I can't be more proud of our kids for gutting it out. What a second-half performance; that was a great win for us."
"We really grew up tonight. We only had 10 people dressed, and all 10 contributed in their own way. I'm almost speechless, this win is so big. But, a credit to our kids, they think they can win each and every game."
(On holding FIU's Faeza Bouderra to three second-half points)
"We think she's as good a point guard as we could face, and she put on a show in the first half, with those 13 points. We talked about it (at halftime), and said that yes, she's good, and we aren't going to face anyone better than her. But, let's not give in and let her control the whole game. And, what a job we did on her in the second half, with Kate (Achter) and Jazz (McCall) and the help-side defense. We took two or three charges in the second half, and our defense, (guided) by Jennifer Roos, just got them going. I can't be more proud of that. We are ecstatic to hold another team to the mid-50s."
(With a starter, Casey McDowell, out of the lineup, was there more pressure on players like Kate Achter to put the ball in the hoop?)
"Well, we were confident that people would step up for Casey, between Lindsey Goldsberry, Whitney Taylor and Megan Thorburn. (We were confident) that we could find people who could score. But, the things that Casey gives you, as a fifth-year college player ... she's smart, she's the quarterback on the floor. She looks at me more than any player on the floor for calls, and she talks in the huddles, so you lose that leadership. Right before the game, I challenged the kids, asking where that leadership was going to come from. I think we all took a piece of that ownership on the floor. Certainly, we can't wait for Casey to get back, but we have some other very capable players."
(On the Falcons' trip to Florida, and the chance to visit with BG alums Jason and Shirelle Jackson and their family)
"They are a very special family, and Shirelle and Jason welcomed us into their home (on Friday). Jason just oozes Bowling Green, and he gave a very emotional speech to our team. Shirelle was a huge piece of the puzzle, behind the scenes, last year, and our kids dearly miss her. They're just very, very special people, but that's what Bowling Green creates. The alumni are tremendous, and I know we had some other alums come to our game tonight. It's great to see that following, and the pride that you see in BGSU graduates."
