Colorado University Athletics
Colorado 69, Missouri 48
February 21, 2003 | Women's Basketball
Colorado Head Coach Ceal Barry
GENERAL-"A lot of people stepped up at different times. We felt the key was to play D and out-rebound this team. I thought the turning point of the game was the beginning of the second half when we got steals and loose balls. We also got the ball to Bjorklund for high-percentage shots in the second half."
ON CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING-"We changed a lot of things since last time. We were more ready to play and played with a lot of heart and hustle. We just really wanted to keep their post out of the game."
ON PLAY OF VERONICA JOHNS-RICHARDSON-"VJ gave us more quickness to get out to Lozier. Her confidence in her game is growing and she's becoming a well-rounded guard. It is a tribute to how hard she works."
ON THE GUARD PLAY-"Maria (Billingsley) along with VJ (Johns-Richardson) can flat out fly with the ball and move it to the defensive end. The quickness helps pad your offense. The opportunity for more playing time has increased their intensity. Whenever a player leaves a team, others are going to get an opportunity for more playing time. VJ and Maria are taking full advantage of their time on the court."
ON HALFTIME MESSAGE-"Coaches try it all. But it's all really on the players. Sabrina (Scott) had to come out and make shots and VJ (Johns-Richardson) had to make steals to get us jump-started in the second half."
Colorado Players
Guard Veronica Johns-Richardson
ON HER IMPROVEMENT-"Playing time has really helped, but practice time is when I can really improve my game. After Sy (Syreeta Stafford) left, I got a chance to play more and I have tried to do my best with it."
ON CU'S SECOND HALF PLAY-"Missouri came out in the first half talking some trash, and that's just not classy. You need to prove it on the court, and that is exactly what we did in the second half."
ON MU G TRACY LOZIER-"She had the hot hand in the first half. If they have a player stepping up, we need to shut her down. We came out in the second half with a mind set to stop her shot, and we did a great job of that. It wasn't just me, but all the guard play."
Center Tera Bjorklund
ON DIFFERENCE FROM FIRST MU GAME-"When we went there, we were not ready to play. This time we had confidence, believed in our game and we played really well."
ON GUARDING C STRETCH JAMES-"She did not get many touches, so it wasn't that hard to contain her. I think that she just couldn't get into the rhythm of the game, so it was easier on us."
Forward Sabrina Scott
ON AGGRESSIVE REBOUND-"Missouri was a very physical and aggressive team on the boards, so I had to get after it. I had to get some defensive rebounds so they couldn't get second chance points."
Missouri Head Coach Cindy Stein
GENERAL-"(Towards the end) we just ran out of gas. Not everybody brought their A-game and you have to bring it for both halves. It was a physical ball game and we just let things take away from our momentum. But you have to credit CU. I don't know how they are not in the top 20. They definitely should be in the top 20, they are a great team."
ON CU'S DEFENSE-"They put good pressure on us and they did a good job of keeping it out of Evan's (Unrau) hands. We couldn't find other scorers and our shots weren't falling. But that is just life on the road."
ON CENTER TERA BJORKLUND-"Bjorklund is the one that makes things go for their team. She is an incredible player. But one player who I thought really stepped up was Johns-Richardson. She came out and played well.
