Colorado University Athletics
Kansas State 67, Colorado 59
February 28, 2003 | Women's Basketball
Colorado Head Coach Ceal Barry
GENERAL-"I felt defensively we held them in check in the first half. We forced them into indecisions and they weren't in the flow of the game. I think if we had hit our free throws we would have been up at halftime. Then, in the second half, they hit some big threes. We started to close the gap, our defense was forcing mistakes that they were not used to. We had two quick shots that probably hurt us towards the end. I think the threes hurt us and swung the momentum."
"I think we've improved, we now know what it takes to compete at this level. If we had hit our free throws, it would have been a different game. When you have young players, it takes a while to know what it takes. I think we need to move on and learn from every loss. At Missouri, I think we learned a lot and bounced back. We just need to keep plugging away and get ready for Nebraska."
ON GUARD MEGAN MAHONEY-"She is the player on their team, she does so many little things that help. She is a great penetrator. In the end, they were taking it to the hole and kicking it back out. She is a smart ball player and a great player for Kansas State."
ON LAURIE KOEHN-"I felt Deb (Patterson) would use Koehn if she had to. I saw her shooting in warm-up and it seemed like she was coming down more on her left ankle. I'm sure she wants her healthy for the tournament. I knew if it was a close game that she would play. That's what good shooters do. They come in and keep shooting. She hit some big threes."
Colorado Players
Center Tera Bjorklund
GENERAL-"I was rushing my shot in the first half and wasn't able to get some easy shots to fall. In the second half, I came out and tried to let it flow a little more and developed a rhythm."
ON NICOLE OHLDE-"She is a great player and really stepped up when they needed her at the end of the game. I really enjoy playing against her because I think we match up very well. She is considered a finesse player and for the most part, that is what I like to be considered."
Guard/Forward Linda Lappe
ON TEAM DEFENSE-"In the stretch we had trouble stopping them and we gave up a lot of easy baskets. We forced 21 turnovers, so that was a good sign. We just couldn't hold them there at the end."
ON KSU-"Any time you have a year under your belt, it is an advantage. Both teams looked very similar to what they did last year, so Kansas State knew what to expect coming in here."
Forward Sabrina Scott
ON POOR SHOOTING-"In the first half everyone was getting layups and easy looks, but they just wouldn't drop. When that happens, you have to get back and play great defense. Who knows whether it is not enough practice time or if it's just an off night."
GENERAL-"I think we learned how hard you have to play when you are faced with a talented team like KSU. I am not saying that losing by eight (points) is a good thing, but it is much better than losing by 20. And that's a start."
Kansas State Head Coach Deb Patterson
GENERAL-"Colorado played so well. They played with confidence and assertiveness. There were times tonight when we struggled but at the same time we would not relent...tonight we made some mistakes that were not characteristic of us."
"This was a great win for us. It was a great win on the road and especially in a tough environment."
ON BIG PLAYS-"It was by committee tonight because at critical junctures, different players stepped up to make big plays and that is what you have to have."
ON LOOKING TOWARD A BIG 12 TITLE-"I don't think we can do that yet and honestly, for us, it would be out of character to change. When we came in here we had to think we couldn't be preoccupied with it, we had to be preoccupied with Colorado because of the history and because of who they are."
"We're 15 games into this league and we have a great road challenge against a team we are tied with and what a great challenge that will be coming up in Lubbock."
ON NICOLE OHLDE-"I think it's amazing to see Nicole compete through 40 minutes of a game. I think many people would tell you that she struggled through the first half, but at the same time she continues to compete with intensity and focus and to do what she can to impact the game."
ON COLORADO'S TERA BJORKLUND-"What impresses me is her post presence and her overall game...I think she continues to establish herself as on of the best posts, not only in the Big 12 but in the country. When Tera Bjorklund establishes herself in the post, the opposing team is going to have a long night. We found that out tonight and we continue to have incredible respect for her."
Kansas State Players
Nicole Ohlde
ON TERA BJORKLUND-"She's an incredible player. She had some awesome shots down on me inside. At the end of the game, it was just going through my mind to stay in good defensive position."
ON HER PLAY IN THE FINAL MINUTE-"I think it was just the flow of the game. I saw an opening and was just trying to start something."
Megan Mahoney
ON NICOLE OHLDE-"She stepped up and made two huge plays, that's what she did."
ON THE WIN-"Coach P has told us at the end of the season that every team is playing for something. Colorado is playing for a top four seed and we have a Big 12 title on the line."
Kendra Wecker
ON COLORADO'S DEFENSE-"I didn't have to handle the ball as much as the guards did but they are on ball defense as much as they can...I think as the game went on, we were able to get on our game a little better."
