St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John's vs. La Salle
St. John’s players Danielle Patterson, Unique Drake and Head Coach Joe Tartamella speak to the media following an 83-70 victory over La Salle
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella
Opening statement...“[I’m] pleased with our effort. [There were] a lot of things that we have to clean up. [We are] continuing to make sure that we are getting right as a group. I thought we stayed together even though they [La Salle] made some runs, and we had some slippage that we cleaned up. The game was weird in how it was played. [It was] a little disjointed. The rhythm of the game, I don’t think there really was one. The good part about the rhythm that happen was that we were able to counterpunch when we needed to. We weren’t shooting the ball as well in the first half, [but] we made the shots we needed to in the second half. [I’m] certainly pleased, and it’s always important to protect our home floor. We have to turn around quick and get ready for tomorrow.”
On the diversity of opponents on the schedule…
“The good part about our schedule, regardless of our results so far, [is that] we have seen a pretty broad spectrum of styles. I think it’s been helpful to us. This is just another one. We have deficiencies, and we have to clean them up quickly as we head into conference play. We feel pretty confident that we will be able to execute offensively at times, but it comes back to getting stops, getting out in transition and playing at the pace you want. If we can’t do that, it becomes a lot harder for us on both ends. It was a good test for us today. I’m glad we met the challenge.”
On Danielle Patterson...
"It’s a testament to her because her routine is as good as anybody I have ever coached. She’s very consistent in how she prepares. Her body is right for the things she’s been through because of how she has prepared herself.”
On Unique Drake...
“Unique, today and all week, has been tremendous. The reason Unique is great now is that she understands how important she is for us to win. It doesn’t matter when she is in the game, from the start or at the end. She was tremendous today, and I said it to her. We don’t win the game without the way she played.”
On setting the all-time wins record...
“It’s there. I know it. I’m worried about Wagner tomorrow and how we play. It’ll mean a lot more if we are winning games in the current moment. It’s about turning the page and making sure that we’re ready.”
Senior forward Danielle Patterson
On her third-straight double-double…
“I try to go as hard as I can on the glass. Our team needs that right now. Our coaches have put a huge emphasis on that in practice. As for scoring, I’m just figuring out where on the floor I’m most comfortable and my teammates have done a great job finding me.”
On how she has asserted herself at the top of the key offensively…
“Just being confident with the ball in there. Sometimes when your catching it you have two or three people around you so either making a quick pass [outside], looking down to the post or even shooting quickly."
Junior guard Unique Drake
On an efficient performance with 10 points, six assists and one steal…
“I was just playing with my instincts, sometimes I’m hesitant with the ball. Today, I just trusted my teammates and they trusted me. That’s what you saw out there today.”
On what’s gone into her preparation every day in practice…
“I keep a next play mindset. They [my coaches] have been talking to me about that so I’ve installed that going into practice every day. Keeping that mindset has really helped me."