St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John's vs. Stony Brook
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella, graduate student guard Mimi Reid and graduate student forward Jillian Archer to the media after a 78-52 win over Stony Brook on Saturday
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella
Opening statement…
“I thought this was our most complete game that we’ve played in the four games to start the year. I’m really pleased with the effort and being able to turn around from Wednesday after a hard-fought game. I thought the energy and toughness we played with overran our opponent a bit. I thought our third quarter told the story. We had little bit of a cushion, but the way we played in the third quarter opened it up. Obviously, Jillian [Archer] had a great game. She was all over the glass. I thought, in the first half, we did a great job of rebounding the ball. I thought we controlled most of it. Mimi [Reid] kept us under control. I’ve been hard pressed to look at a box score and see two players in double figures in rebounds. It’s a pleasant thing to see. We finished the homestand off the way we needed to. Now, we’ve got to prepare to go on the road next week.”
On the defense…
“We worked in the short period of time that we had to make it harder for them. I thought we did a good job of doing that. I thought we made it difficult for them. Every game we’ve played has given us something different to look at. If we don’t play the game against St. Francis Brooklyn, we’re not prepared like we were today. I thought we were much more locked in for 40 minutes. There was no slippage in moments. We knew transition defense was going to be massive, [and] they had three transition points. That’s a big piece to it. We were really focused on making sure we got back. [Anastasia] Warren and [Gigi] Gonzalez beat us down last year, so it was great to see us turn the page.”
On halftime adjustments…
“It’s about recalibrating ourselves to make sure we’re focused on the keys that we have to attack. I think they’re understanding of what they need to do. They love to compete. When you watch these guys play, they love to compete with the energy they have. It’s exciting to be with them. I’m proud of their effort. I hope we can continue it. It’s a good sign that we can start playing that way in second halves. We’ll have to have that as we move forward. I like what I see.”
On challenges facing the team in the next two games…
[The biggest challenge is] being on the road [and] getting that routine in. We have few days off to get prepared [then] we have back-to-back games. That’s always challenge, but it’s just like playing in the conference tournament. That’s part of the reason why you do it. The challenge is the same as if we were playing down the block at Columbia or at Stony Brook: staying focused and locked in on what we need to do. It should be another good test for us against two good teams.”
Graduate student forward Jillian Archer
On her 13 rebounds and nine points…
“I think just feeding off of my teammates really helped tonight. I think that we came in with a really solid game plan and we really played together.”
On how it feels to play under the basket with Rayven Peeples…
“I think she’s a great player and we play very well off of each other. What I lack, she is able to pick right up and vice versa.”
Graduate student guard Mimi Reid
On what it’s like to have multiple weapons on offense hitting shots…
“The offense is created for us to make reads and do what you do. It’s not a stagnant offense [that’s] ran through one person. I think the biggest part is knowing your shot, taking your shot and being confident in it. It’s really good as a point guard to have people hit their shots, but also when they kick me the ball and I make shots too.”
On her first double-digit scoring effort as a Johnnie...
“I’m not a stickler on if I have to score the ball right away. I wait for the game come to me.”
Opening statement…
“I thought this was our most complete game that we’ve played in the four games to start the year. I’m really pleased with the effort and being able to turn around from Wednesday after a hard-fought game. I thought the energy and toughness we played with overran our opponent a bit. I thought our third quarter told the story. We had little bit of a cushion, but the way we played in the third quarter opened it up. Obviously, Jillian [Archer] had a great game. She was all over the glass. I thought, in the first half, we did a great job of rebounding the ball. I thought we controlled most of it. Mimi [Reid] kept us under control. I’ve been hard pressed to look at a box score and see two players in double figures in rebounds. It’s a pleasant thing to see. We finished the homestand off the way we needed to. Now, we’ve got to prepare to go on the road next week.”
On the defense…
“We worked in the short period of time that we had to make it harder for them. I thought we did a good job of doing that. I thought we made it difficult for them. Every game we’ve played has given us something different to look at. If we don’t play the game against St. Francis Brooklyn, we’re not prepared like we were today. I thought we were much more locked in for 40 minutes. There was no slippage in moments. We knew transition defense was going to be massive, [and] they had three transition points. That’s a big piece to it. We were really focused on making sure we got back. [Anastasia] Warren and [Gigi] Gonzalez beat us down last year, so it was great to see us turn the page.”
On halftime adjustments…
“It’s about recalibrating ourselves to make sure we’re focused on the keys that we have to attack. I think they’re understanding of what they need to do. They love to compete. When you watch these guys play, they love to compete with the energy they have. It’s exciting to be with them. I’m proud of their effort. I hope we can continue it. It’s a good sign that we can start playing that way in second halves. We’ll have to have that as we move forward. I like what I see.”
On challenges facing the team in the next two games…
[The biggest challenge is] being on the road [and] getting that routine in. We have few days off to get prepared [then] we have back-to-back games. That’s always challenge, but it’s just like playing in the conference tournament. That’s part of the reason why you do it. The challenge is the same as if we were playing down the block at Columbia or at Stony Brook: staying focused and locked in on what we need to do. It should be another good test for us against two good teams.”
Graduate student forward Jillian Archer
On her 13 rebounds and nine points…
“I think just feeding off of my teammates really helped tonight. I think that we came in with a really solid game plan and we really played together.”
On how it feels to play under the basket with Rayven Peeples…
“I think she’s a great player and we play very well off of each other. What I lack, she is able to pick right up and vice versa.”
Graduate student guard Mimi Reid
On what it’s like to have multiple weapons on offense hitting shots…
“The offense is created for us to make reads and do what you do. It’s not a stagnant offense [that’s] ran through one person. I think the biggest part is knowing your shot, taking your shot and being confident in it. It’s really good as a point guard to have people hit their shots, but also when they kick me the ball and I make shots too.”
On her first double-digit scoring effort as a Johnnie...
“I’m not a stickler on if I have to score the ball right away. I wait for the game come to me.”