St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John's vs. Penn State
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella speaks to the media after St. John’s 69-53 loss to Penn State
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella
Opening statement…
“When I watched them on film I thought they were very impressive in how they have played averaging almost 97 a game. We had to change the way we played and we did it. Unfortunately, we did not score enough baskets and had too many turnovers that, I thought were in many ways unforced. What happens when you slow down you play more one-on-one or get late in the clock and try to get to the rim and we didn’t make good decisions all the time. I’m proud of them. We’ve struggled to have consistent days, so to watch us execute the gameplan we gave them was really important for me to see, our staff to see, and them to see. Even though the score is what it is, it probably wasn’t as indicative as what the game was. I told them in the locker room that if we can continue down that path and do more of what we did tonight we will be in much better shape.”
On the first half defense …
“ We had a plan put in place and I thought they executed it beautifully. We just didn’t score as much. I was very encouraged. I told them look, you shoot 38% from the field and 20% from three you are not going to win many games. I was really pleased, the start of the game was 2-2 I think with four [minutes] to go in the first quarter and I was happy. I’m sure it was ugly, but that is how we had to make it. I think it’s very encouraging we switched strides tonight.”
On Skye Owens progression...
“ She played well I think in spurts. Obviously, she brings us a different dimension when she can really shoot it. I think she’s making better decisions. I think she's getting better and the more game time she has she is going to get even better. I’ve been pleased with her play in three games she’s done pretty well…Skye’s given us a big lift, and eight of our 10 bench points were her.
On Ber’Nyah Mayo’s play...
“ She’s been better. I’ve challenged her to be a better defender. She’s more magnified now because of the minutes she’s playing. I think she did a nice job in what we were trying to do and also got lost in a couple of sets when they hit a three and she needed to be there. I think she’s doing better and she’s logging more minutes.”
Opening statement…
“When I watched them on film I thought they were very impressive in how they have played averaging almost 97 a game. We had to change the way we played and we did it. Unfortunately, we did not score enough baskets and had too many turnovers that, I thought were in many ways unforced. What happens when you slow down you play more one-on-one or get late in the clock and try to get to the rim and we didn’t make good decisions all the time. I’m proud of them. We’ve struggled to have consistent days, so to watch us execute the gameplan we gave them was really important for me to see, our staff to see, and them to see. Even though the score is what it is, it probably wasn’t as indicative as what the game was. I told them in the locker room that if we can continue down that path and do more of what we did tonight we will be in much better shape.”
On the first half defense …
“ We had a plan put in place and I thought they executed it beautifully. We just didn’t score as much. I was very encouraged. I told them look, you shoot 38% from the field and 20% from three you are not going to win many games. I was really pleased, the start of the game was 2-2 I think with four [minutes] to go in the first quarter and I was happy. I’m sure it was ugly, but that is how we had to make it. I think it’s very encouraging we switched strides tonight.”
On Skye Owens progression...
“ She played well I think in spurts. Obviously, she brings us a different dimension when she can really shoot it. I think she’s making better decisions. I think she's getting better and the more game time she has she is going to get even better. I’ve been pleased with her play in three games she’s done pretty well…Skye’s given us a big lift, and eight of our 10 bench points were her.
On Ber’Nyah Mayo’s play...
“ She’s been better. I’ve challenged her to be a better defender. She’s more magnified now because of the minutes she’s playing. I think she did a nice job in what we were trying to do and also got lost in a couple of sets when they hit a three and she needed to be there. I think she’s doing better and she’s logging more minutes.”