St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John's Women's Basketball vs. Villanova
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella, guard Jailah Donald and forward Jillian Archer speak to the media after 51-46 win over Villanova at Madison Square Garden
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella
Opening statement…
“ A typical game for both teams in away, but to be able to play the way we did early and then score four points in a quarter. We have figured out a way to do that twice. And to finish the way that we did I think is a real testament to the girt that they have had in a year that’s been frustrating at times. I think also we are starting to see some of the frustration turn into execution. To be able to win a game like this where it’s nip and tuck throughout – we didn’t execute perfectly at the end, but I think we were prepared enough to be ready for what we were going to see. I'm really pleased with our group and to be at Madison Square Garden and do it the way that we did it. With the opportunity to be here which to me is second to one when you talk about basketball in New York and New York City. I think it was a great opportunity for everyone and the way the game went made it exciting for everybody in the building as well. I appreciate every single person that was here.”
On his team’s execution…
“We are going to have to be better on the offensive side and I took blame on that in the locker room but we have to do a better job as players to want the ball. I do think we executed what we thought what happen over these last few days. They changed a few things on the last few things that they did and we were able to play well enough. They missed a couple that you think would go in and hopefully today the bounce was on our side. I think we played hard enough to give us that opportunity. When you look at Ber’Nayh [Mayo] going to the line and she misses the first one but making the second one was massive. It changed the whole complexion of the game, which put us in a different way that we could guard. I think what was pleasing was that we didn’t fall into the trap of fouling the shooter and we didn’t fall into the trap of not getting the ball, we rebounded the ball. I thought that ended up being what it was and in every game we have watched whether it was ours or theirs, it's the same scenario. It’s just been that kind of year and I thought we did what we wanted to do, making a difficult shot, not a foul, rebounding the ball, and creating a foul. You had to foul today, you had to get it to earn it and that’s fine.
I thought Jailiah being able to make her [free throws] was big, so that part on this stage, in a high-leverage situation, is big.”
On Jillian Archer and Unique Drake as leaders this season…
“Today I thought Jill [Jillian Archer] was what she needed to be. She was not only tough on herself, she was tough on her teammates. She was holding people accountable and holding herself accountable. Unique [Drake] has always been Unique. Unique is kind of doing what she does. Not as vocal as Jill…Both of them not only have to lead by example, but they also have to lead in a way where they can hold themselves accountable and their teammates at the same time. Jill did that today from the start.”
Graduate Student Forward Jillian Archer
On the experience playing in Madison Square Garden…
“It was an amazing opportunity. I think our energy going into it, like we were super excited, feeding off of each other and the crowd, it was awesome.”
On the mindset after the first conference game of the year…
“Everybody in the BIG EAST is really good, the competition is great so really just bringing our all every single game and keeping our focus on what we need to do to be successful”
On playing against Lucy Olsen…
“A lot of respect for her, she is a great player, just playing against her throughout the years. Today was really awesome, being able to play with my team here was incredible. And like I said, the energy was great.”
Sophomore Guard Jailah Donald
On the experience playing in Madison Square Garden…
“I would say, its my first time really being in New York, so playing on a big stage like Madison Square Garden, it was an amazing opportunity for the whole team.”
On the mindset after the first conference game of the year…
“I would just say being consistent. We just want to compete. Its the BIG EAST, good teams, just compete and do the best we can do.”
On her improvement throughout the season…
“I would say, I started off a little rocky. Obviously, this was a little bit of a breakout game I would say, and just try to stay consistent so we can just keep moving forward.”
Opening statement…
“ A typical game for both teams in away, but to be able to play the way we did early and then score four points in a quarter. We have figured out a way to do that twice. And to finish the way that we did I think is a real testament to the girt that they have had in a year that’s been frustrating at times. I think also we are starting to see some of the frustration turn into execution. To be able to win a game like this where it’s nip and tuck throughout – we didn’t execute perfectly at the end, but I think we were prepared enough to be ready for what we were going to see. I'm really pleased with our group and to be at Madison Square Garden and do it the way that we did it. With the opportunity to be here which to me is second to one when you talk about basketball in New York and New York City. I think it was a great opportunity for everyone and the way the game went made it exciting for everybody in the building as well. I appreciate every single person that was here.”
On his team’s execution…
“We are going to have to be better on the offensive side and I took blame on that in the locker room but we have to do a better job as players to want the ball. I do think we executed what we thought what happen over these last few days. They changed a few things on the last few things that they did and we were able to play well enough. They missed a couple that you think would go in and hopefully today the bounce was on our side. I think we played hard enough to give us that opportunity. When you look at Ber’Nayh [Mayo] going to the line and she misses the first one but making the second one was massive. It changed the whole complexion of the game, which put us in a different way that we could guard. I think what was pleasing was that we didn’t fall into the trap of fouling the shooter and we didn’t fall into the trap of not getting the ball, we rebounded the ball. I thought that ended up being what it was and in every game we have watched whether it was ours or theirs, it's the same scenario. It’s just been that kind of year and I thought we did what we wanted to do, making a difficult shot, not a foul, rebounding the ball, and creating a foul. You had to foul today, you had to get it to earn it and that’s fine.
I thought Jailiah being able to make her [free throws] was big, so that part on this stage, in a high-leverage situation, is big.”
On Jillian Archer and Unique Drake as leaders this season…
“Today I thought Jill [Jillian Archer] was what she needed to be. She was not only tough on herself, she was tough on her teammates. She was holding people accountable and holding herself accountable. Unique [Drake] has always been Unique. Unique is kind of doing what she does. Not as vocal as Jill…Both of them not only have to lead by example, but they also have to lead in a way where they can hold themselves accountable and their teammates at the same time. Jill did that today from the start.”
Graduate Student Forward Jillian Archer
On the experience playing in Madison Square Garden…
“It was an amazing opportunity. I think our energy going into it, like we were super excited, feeding off of each other and the crowd, it was awesome.”
On the mindset after the first conference game of the year…
“Everybody in the BIG EAST is really good, the competition is great so really just bringing our all every single game and keeping our focus on what we need to do to be successful”
On playing against Lucy Olsen…
“A lot of respect for her, she is a great player, just playing against her throughout the years. Today was really awesome, being able to play with my team here was incredible. And like I said, the energy was great.”
Sophomore Guard Jailah Donald
On the experience playing in Madison Square Garden…
“I would say, its my first time really being in New York, so playing on a big stage like Madison Square Garden, it was an amazing opportunity for the whole team.”
On the mindset after the first conference game of the year…
“I would just say being consistent. We just want to compete. Its the BIG EAST, good teams, just compete and do the best we can do.”
On her improvement throughout the season…
“I would say, I started off a little rocky. Obviously, this was a little bit of a breakout game I would say, and just try to stay consistent so we can just keep moving forward.”