Colorado-Texas Quotes

Colorado Head Coach Kathy McConnell-Miller

General

“I'd like to say that tonight was a timely win, but in the Big 12 every win is a timely win. To beat Texas, which is an incredible program with great players that applies pressure for 40 minutes is huge for us. To play as balanced as of a game as we did, it feels good. We were able to have balanced minutes with various players and had some players step up and score for us tonight. Right at the three minute mark of the second half I think our team decided that we've been here before and we're not going to let it happen again. We went in a different direction then we normally do. We didn't really turn the ball over and we made our free throws. I thought Whitney (Houston) did a good job of handling the pressure, I'm not excited about six turnovers in 22 minutes but for the amount of pressure she faced all night, I was content. For us to out-rebound Texas, which is such an athletic team and especially out of a zone I was very happy. We're a very proud and happy team tonight.”

ON THE PHYSICALITY OF THE GAME?“It seems like they all are. Sometimes the personnel is what really hurts us with Jackie (McFarland) getting double and triple teamed as much as she does. But tonight they did a good job of calling it both ways and letting some things go. I thought tonight represented the normal physicality of Big 12 play.”

ON TEAM DEPTH?“I don't think that our team ever backs down, but sometimes the other team's depth hurts us. Tonight we had some depth with Kara (Richards) and Caley (Dow) coming in and playing as well as she did. To be able to rest some of our regulars for crunch time it really helped.”

ON THE PLAY OF BIANCA SMITH?“I think a couple things contributed to her play. First she loves to play all the Texas schools. Secondly Texas was trapping us and if we could get the ball out of the trap they had to scramble to cover our players. When you have to scramble you can't identify the shooter and that allowed Bianca to get open and get open shots.”

ON AIJA PUTNINA?“I thought she rebounded the heck out of the ball. She went to the boards hard and with the officials letting some things go that really helped her. I know it's a bad analogy but she is kind of like a bull in a china shop and with them letting some contact go she was able to get physical with them tonight. She handled the pressure well and hit her free throws.”

ON WHITNEY HOUSTON?“I had rested her enough that she kept coming up to me and saying ?I'm good coach' and I didn't want to say ?do you remember Nebraska?' But you want to play at the end you need to rest now, she had enough minutes early on that she was ready for the pressure in the end.”

Colorado Players

So, G, Bianca Smith

ON HER PERSONAL AND TEAM'S PLAY

“I wanted to come through and knock down shots. I had some open looks tonight and we played well as a team. We didn't back down and I tried to stay composed and help my teammates.”

ON DEFEATING TEXAS

“It feels great. Since I have been here we haven't beat Texas, and it feels good to finally beat them. We still have to stay focused, practice hard, and get ready for our next game.”

ON IMPORTANCE OF SETTING A NEW RECORD

“It's a lot more special when we win. I always look to shoot, and I was open tonight and knocked down a few shots.”

So., G, Whitney Houston

ON TEXAS' DEFENSE

“That was the most pressure that I've ever had to handle in a single game. Sometimes I am timid and turn the ball over at the end of the game, but not for this one. We fought to the end and handled their pressure well down the stretch.”

Texas Head Coach Gail Goestenkors

General

“This loss was inexcusable. Colorado played with more passion and more purpose. We came out flat. It was embarrassing. We had a lack of want, will, and desire. We weren't ready to play. In warm-ups there was a lack of focus, it was very disheartening. We're fighting for out lives right now. This was a tough loss, now we just need to get some big wins. The longer CU stayed with us and led, the more confidence they gained. We had our opportunities and didn't take advantage of them.”

Texas Players

Jr. G. Carla Cortijo

“We had a lack of focus, we were talking and laughing during warmup and we weren't very serious about the game. I went to high school with Bianca Smith, she has always been a great three point shooter. She did a great job tonight. We have to keep fighting, go back to practice and keep on fighting.”