Bowling Green State University Athletics
From the Media Room
February 01, 2006 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 1, 2006
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Quoting the players and coaches after the Bowling Green State University women's basketball team's 76-69 win over Eastern Michigan Wednesday night (Feb. 1) at venerable Anderson Arena ...
BGSU HEAD COACH Curt Miller
(Opening statement)
"How about the crowd? That was unbelievable, and a big part of tonight's story. Our marketing people did a great job, and the student body really came out and supported us in a big game tonight. It's so crucial to have that homecourt advantage. We have the sixth-longest win streak in the country at home, and if we can continue to draw crowds like that, I hope that streak continues for a long time."
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(You have talked about the West Division being physical. Can you talk about the physical play in tonight's game?)
"I've said many times that Eastern is the most physical team we play, year in and year out. They can bully you out of your own gym in a hurry, if you're not ready for that, and I give our kids a lot of credit. We came ready to play. Eastern is undefeated when they've gone to the lockerroom with a halftime lead, and we talked about how important it was (to get the lead). Eastern can hurt you in a variety of ways, but it really helps to have that lead and play from in front."
(Did you feel like you had the lead most of the way?)
"It was great to have that lead, but I have so much respect for Eastern. They can make big plays, and score in bunches quickly, so I wasn't comfortable until that final horn. But, what a great win for our program."
(What did Amber Flynn's contributions off the bench mean?)
"Wow, unbelievable. The last thing we talked about before leaving the lockerroom was, who would be the X factor? Would we have that person, that no one talks about, be the X factor, or would Eastern have that player? When you look at it, they had one, in Annie Malatinsky, and we had one in Amber Flynn. We can't win that game without Amber Flynn tonight. She stepped up and was big; hit some free throws that gave her confidence, and then she stepped out and made that 3. I can't be more happy for her; she was the X factor. Amber Flynn deserves a ton of credit for this victory."
EASTERN MICHIGAN COACH SUZY MERCHANT
(What was the most disappointing aspect of tonight's game?)
"Well, I don't think anybody likes to lose, so that's disappointing. I give Bowling Green credit. They really came out and came after us, and we didn't handle that very well. They're a very good basketball team, and there's a reason why they're 17-2. They're a great team."
BGSU JUNIOR FORWARD Ali Mann
(Is it more special to get a win against EMU, having grown up in Chelsea?)
"Well, obviously, they're right in my backyard, so it's not very hard to get motivated for this game. With the battles we've had in the past, the MAC Championship and the (2004) semifinals, it's easy to get motivated for them that way as well."
(What was working for your team tonight?)
"I thought we moved the ball really well, and we matched their physical play, which was one of the keys coming into the game. We did not want to get outhustled and outbattled on our homecourt tonight."
(How big is this win?)
"Well, it's always nice to protect our homecourt, and it's nice to keep our momentum going. Eastern has established themselves as one of the best teams in the league, and to be the best, you have to beat the best."
BGSU SOPHOMORE GUARD Kate Achter
(How important was it to play with the lead, rather than from behind?)
"Against this high-powered offense, very important. They have one of the best players in the league in Ryan Coleman. She is capable of knocking down big shot after big shot, so it was huge for us to be ahead, as opposed to playing from behind."
(When they got within 7 or 8 points late, what did you talk about in the huddle?)
"When it gets that close, and time is running down, we talk about making them go two by two, and trying not to give up 3s. We did give up some 3s tonight, but if we can force them to get two points and not three, it makes them work a little harder."
(Did the game go as you expected?)
"Definitely. We thought the same thing with Western (Michigan on Saturday), that it was going to be a battle. And, it proved to be just that."
BGSU JUNIOR CENTER Liz Honegger
(On her defensive play, which included four blocked shots and 15 defensive rebounds)
"I wouldn't necessarily say I'm an offensive player. I think I can score if I need to, but I feel that I can do a lot of other things to contribute to the team. On the rebounding tonight, I was just in the right place at the right time, and just going for the ball. And, blocking shots is just something I love to do."
