St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John’s vs. Purdue
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella, redshirt senior guard Jayla Everett, senior guard Unique Drake and redshirt senior guard Jayla Everett spoke with the media following a 66-64 win over Purdue in the First Four round of the NCAA Tournament
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella
Opening statement…
“What a game. I couldn’t be prouder of this group. The way this game went is kind of like the way our season went. There were so many elements within the game that I thought personified us in many of the great things that we have accomplished this year. Most importantly, we were able to have the fortitude to finish the game the way we did. I thought we did a really good job early. I thought Danielle Cosgrove was big for us in the second half. We felt good through the third quarter, and then we started to let up too many open shots from deep. I’m so proud of this group. I can’t put into words what Jayla [Everett] and Unique [Drake] have meant to the program in different ways. This was a big piece in validating a lot of things that we have believed in all year.”
On Jayla Everett’s game-winning shot…
“We felt comfortable with the group we had on the floor. We wanted to get something going near the rim, either a bucket or a foul. She just made a great play. That’s what we’ve done all year.”
On preparing for the next game…
“Certainly, we have to be prepared. My focus is always on what’s in front of us. At the same time, we are prepared for the next step. We approached in the same way that we would a conference tournament. My philosophy has always been to worry about what’s ahead of us but certainly be prepared for what’s up next. We will do everything we can to get prepared and ready to play on Saturday.”
Senior guard Unique Drake
On her role as being the sixth woman of the year…
“I just played my game. My teammates and coaches trust me. Coming off the bench I have the same mentality as a starter. “
On the turnaround of the team during her four years at St. John’s…
“It’s been rough, but I love this team so much. Our leadership, communication and work ethic is different, everything is just different and I love our team. “
Redshirt senior guard Jayla Everett
On her mindset during the last shot…
“I just wanted to get the ball up. I saw the shot clock was down, and my teammates trusted me with the ball, so I knew I had to go make a play.
On the team’s emotions during the final quarter…
“Honestly, Mimi [Reid] has been her before and she was a big piece of the puzzle. In the huddle, she made sure we stayed composed. Everyone was telling me to shake it off, I feel like the referee made the right call, and I need to control my emotions at times, as I’m very passionate. There was a lot of time left on the clock, and I could be either be mad about it, or find a way to fix it. I couldn’t help my team on the bench. So I knew I had to shake out of it faster.”
Opening statement…
“What a game. I couldn’t be prouder of this group. The way this game went is kind of like the way our season went. There were so many elements within the game that I thought personified us in many of the great things that we have accomplished this year. Most importantly, we were able to have the fortitude to finish the game the way we did. I thought we did a really good job early. I thought Danielle Cosgrove was big for us in the second half. We felt good through the third quarter, and then we started to let up too many open shots from deep. I’m so proud of this group. I can’t put into words what Jayla [Everett] and Unique [Drake] have meant to the program in different ways. This was a big piece in validating a lot of things that we have believed in all year.”
On Jayla Everett’s game-winning shot…
“We felt comfortable with the group we had on the floor. We wanted to get something going near the rim, either a bucket or a foul. She just made a great play. That’s what we’ve done all year.”
On preparing for the next game…
“Certainly, we have to be prepared. My focus is always on what’s in front of us. At the same time, we are prepared for the next step. We approached in the same way that we would a conference tournament. My philosophy has always been to worry about what’s ahead of us but certainly be prepared for what’s up next. We will do everything we can to get prepared and ready to play on Saturday.”
Senior guard Unique Drake
On her role as being the sixth woman of the year…
“I just played my game. My teammates and coaches trust me. Coming off the bench I have the same mentality as a starter. “
On the turnaround of the team during her four years at St. John’s…
“It’s been rough, but I love this team so much. Our leadership, communication and work ethic is different, everything is just different and I love our team. “
Redshirt senior guard Jayla Everett
On her mindset during the last shot…
“I just wanted to get the ball up. I saw the shot clock was down, and my teammates trusted me with the ball, so I knew I had to go make a play.
On the team’s emotions during the final quarter…
“Honestly, Mimi [Reid] has been her before and she was a big piece of the puzzle. In the huddle, she made sure we stayed composed. Everyone was telling me to shake it off, I feel like the referee made the right call, and I need to control my emotions at times, as I’m very passionate. There was a lot of time left on the clock, and I could be either be mad about it, or find a way to fix it. I couldn’t help my team on the bench. So I knew I had to shake out of it faster.”