St. John's University Athletics
Postgame Quotes: St. John's 65, Xavier 42
12/3/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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Dec. 3, 2014
Head Coach Joe Tartamella
Opening Statement:
"Tonight was a great opportunity at home to get our first BIG EAST win of the year. We knew this was an important game against a much improved Xavier team. Xavier added a number of transfers who really boosted their team from last year. I'm very happy with the way we came out in the second half and were able to really dig in defensively, giving us the stops we needed to get out on the offensive end. The first half Xavier did a good job playing at their pace and tempo, so I thought we were able to adjust in the second half. It was a nice job from our players and I'm very happy to have our first BIG EAST win."
On the Red Storm's second-half play:
"I thought we executed our game plan better. We were able to defend, get in gaps and try to keep them out of the lane. I also thought our level of intensity and focus was improved. Aaliyah Lewis gave us a good lift, Danaejah Grant made some shots as well, and then we got stops. The way we defended in the second half is how we want to play. I was very pleased with that. The majority of the halftime talk was about what our mentality and energy was going to be like coming out. They listened, made a couple of adjustments, and executed."
On the play of sophomore guard Danaejah Grant:
"Danaejah has been improving since arrived here. She works hard on her game. She's got the power, she's got the finesse at times, and she's got the stroke. She's a very versatile kid. It's not a coincidence that when she became eligible last year we started to improve. She made our team more complete, and this year we've been on her back a little bit along with [Aliyyah] Handford and the rest of our veterans. We're excited about what Danaejah has been doing and we want to make sure we improve each game."
On the development of freshman forward Imani Littleton:
"Outside of her one turnover I thought that she defended well. She didn't hurt us defensively which was a big piece. People haven't even seen what she can do, and we are all waiting to see her do the things we know she can. I know she will. I expect all of our freshman to break through at some point, but she is one that can really shine. She has great length and athleticism, and she is decisive."
Senior forward Amber Thompson
On the team's second-half play:
"I feel like we came out with more energy. We came out of the locker room up three points but feeling like it shouldn't have been that close. We knew that we needed to play harder in the second half."
On the play of sophomore point guard Aaliyah Lewis:
"Most teams kind of play off of her, so as long as she is moving, getting into the open spaces and getting her shots it opens things up for other players."
On tallying a career-high four assists with no turnovers:
"I had to see the court a little better tonight because [Xavier] was playing up on me. I had to be aware and see my teammates when I had the ball."
Junior guard Danaejah Grant
On the team's second-half play:
"We regrouped when we went into the locker room. We came out a little slow [in the first half] and we weren't playing the way we wanted to play. We made adjustments in the locker room and when we came out in the second half we were ready."
On playing a BIG EAST Conference game in December:
"It is a little weird. Some teams might say that they are not all the way together yet, but we've been working for a long time now. I think this was a good test for us to see where we are and how we're going to contend in our conference."
