St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John’s vs. LIU
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella, Jillian Archer and Unique Drake speak to the media after the 81-44 win over LIU
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella
Opening statement…
“ Certainly glad to get a win although not perfect by any means. I thought we played with good energy tonight. Slow start, so something to look at again where we need to be better. I thought we took control of the game in the second quarter and I thought we found a little more of a rhythm into the fourth quarter because I think the first and third kind of mirrored themselves in a way and in the second and fourth we played like we wanted to. Much to learn from after this game, [we] certainly have areas we need to sure up as we get going. But in the first game with not seeing much of what your opponent is going to be and having to react in real time, I was pleased with the way we played. Certainly happy to see us on the plus side in the rebounding and free throws. I thought we did a better job in shot selection today. It was great to see both these young ladies next to me [Unique Drake and Jillian Archer] do the things we asked of them coming into this game and certainly something we will need for the rest of the year.”
On Jayda Brown’s success in her collegiate debut…
“ We’ve seen the flashes in practice from her, we recruited her for that reason. I thought she did some really nice things and made some difficult shots tonight. So I was extremely pleased with her effort and I think she really has the ability to stretch the floor for us when she's playing the way that she's capable of. For her first game from what we have seen on a daily basis, I was extremely pleased with her effort.”
On Unique Drake and Jillian Archer’s leadership…
“I thought both brought what we needed and it's going to be important that they bring that every single game that we play. I think that’s going to be the challenge for them in the role that they are taking. They were able to in the past feed off the others that brought that energy so in some ways it’s in their DNA and in some ways, it’s not. For Jill to have a double-double that checks the box and for Unique to go 9-15 and not have to take 25 shots and get 27 points, that's a big deal.”
On Skye Owen stepping up tonight…
“I thought Skye was really solid again tonight and helped pace Ber’nyah [Mayo] as well. Skye did a good job defensively, she was more aggressive so we need her to build upon that.”
On the three-point shooting in the fourth quarter…
“I think anytime they [make threes] it's a huge lift. Seeing them have some fun out there and knock down back-to-back threes and avalanche the team in a way, it’s a lot of fun. I think a combination of making threes, getting to the line and converting was big for us.”
Graduate student forward Jillian Archer
On establishing her inside game early…
“I think it’s very important that my teammates were looking for me early on. Trying to establish some inside game and play inside-out is definitely something we talked about going into the game. So, really just trying to get the position, continue being aggressive, and finding people open on the outside was the goal.”
On being vocal and leading tonight…
“Definitely being one of the oldest on the team, trying to be super vocal and a leader on the court. I think it being our first game there were a lot of jitters and excitement, so really just trying to keep us on the path.”
On how she refined her skillset heading into this season…
“I definitely wanted to establish a left hand during the offseason. That was something I struggled with a lot last year. Other than that trying to play on my strengths. I’m a pretty good rebounder, so trying to get offensive rebounds to help out my team more and defensive rebounds to try and push on offense. ”
Redshirt senior guard Unique Drake
On if the bigger role felt different…
“There’s really nothing different, just taking the shots given to me. My teammates find me everywhere so I feel like just taking the shots that were given to me…not really a different feel for me”
On what she took away from the game tonight…
“I was pleased with how my team stuck together through everything even though sometimes it was rough and ugly I just liked how we stuck together as a team and competed the whole night."
On how Skye Owen has progressed…
“Just learning every day from veterans like myself and Jill [Archer]. She puts in a lot of work that nobody sees. Just always staying ready for her time.”
On if she sees herself as an extension of Coach Tartamella on the court…
“Well, me being here for five years I do know a lot of things he wants. I know what he wants on and off the court.”
Opening statement…
“ Certainly glad to get a win although not perfect by any means. I thought we played with good energy tonight. Slow start, so something to look at again where we need to be better. I thought we took control of the game in the second quarter and I thought we found a little more of a rhythm into the fourth quarter because I think the first and third kind of mirrored themselves in a way and in the second and fourth we played like we wanted to. Much to learn from after this game, [we] certainly have areas we need to sure up as we get going. But in the first game with not seeing much of what your opponent is going to be and having to react in real time, I was pleased with the way we played. Certainly happy to see us on the plus side in the rebounding and free throws. I thought we did a better job in shot selection today. It was great to see both these young ladies next to me [Unique Drake and Jillian Archer] do the things we asked of them coming into this game and certainly something we will need for the rest of the year.”
On Jayda Brown’s success in her collegiate debut…
“ We’ve seen the flashes in practice from her, we recruited her for that reason. I thought she did some really nice things and made some difficult shots tonight. So I was extremely pleased with her effort and I think she really has the ability to stretch the floor for us when she's playing the way that she's capable of. For her first game from what we have seen on a daily basis, I was extremely pleased with her effort.”
On Unique Drake and Jillian Archer’s leadership…
“I thought both brought what we needed and it's going to be important that they bring that every single game that we play. I think that’s going to be the challenge for them in the role that they are taking. They were able to in the past feed off the others that brought that energy so in some ways it’s in their DNA and in some ways, it’s not. For Jill to have a double-double that checks the box and for Unique to go 9-15 and not have to take 25 shots and get 27 points, that's a big deal.”
On Skye Owen stepping up tonight…
“I thought Skye was really solid again tonight and helped pace Ber’nyah [Mayo] as well. Skye did a good job defensively, she was more aggressive so we need her to build upon that.”
On the three-point shooting in the fourth quarter…
“I think anytime they [make threes] it's a huge lift. Seeing them have some fun out there and knock down back-to-back threes and avalanche the team in a way, it’s a lot of fun. I think a combination of making threes, getting to the line and converting was big for us.”
Graduate student forward Jillian Archer
On establishing her inside game early…
“I think it’s very important that my teammates were looking for me early on. Trying to establish some inside game and play inside-out is definitely something we talked about going into the game. So, really just trying to get the position, continue being aggressive, and finding people open on the outside was the goal.”
On being vocal and leading tonight…
“Definitely being one of the oldest on the team, trying to be super vocal and a leader on the court. I think it being our first game there were a lot of jitters and excitement, so really just trying to keep us on the path.”
On how she refined her skillset heading into this season…
“I definitely wanted to establish a left hand during the offseason. That was something I struggled with a lot last year. Other than that trying to play on my strengths. I’m a pretty good rebounder, so trying to get offensive rebounds to help out my team more and defensive rebounds to try and push on offense. ”
Redshirt senior guard Unique Drake
On if the bigger role felt different…
“There’s really nothing different, just taking the shots given to me. My teammates find me everywhere so I feel like just taking the shots that were given to me…not really a different feel for me”
On what she took away from the game tonight…
“I was pleased with how my team stuck together through everything even though sometimes it was rough and ugly I just liked how we stuck together as a team and competed the whole night."
On how Skye Owen has progressed…
“Just learning every day from veterans like myself and Jill [Archer]. She puts in a lot of work that nobody sees. Just always staying ready for her time.”
On if she sees herself as an extension of Coach Tartamella on the court…
“Well, me being here for five years I do know a lot of things he wants. I know what he wants on and off the court.”