St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John's Women's Basketball vs. Butler
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella, Ber’Nyah Mayo and Jillian Archer speak to the media after the 60-42 win over Butler
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella
Opening statement…
“ Pleased with our effort throughout the entire game. I think for us to respond and I was curious to see how we would play after Saturday’s performance. Just kind of getting through the past couple of days in our preparation, but I thought we grinded enough in the first half and I thought in the second half we were able to take control of the game just by clamping down on defense and being able to contest a lot better than we did in the first half. It’s been a long time in a game where we haven’t given up a second-chance point. I think for us to be able to do that and keep them off the glass for second chances was really good. And our points in the paint were probably as good as they have been in a while. Excited for our effort tonight and now we will turn the page and get ready for the next one.”
On getting everyone involved on offense…
“ Obviously we try to do it in every game and I thought we did a much better job of that. Unique’s [Drake] been still trying to work herself back and to see us to be able to do that with her struggling a little bit tonight and still trying to get her wind back. It was great to see Tara [Daye], Jailah [Donald], Skye [Owen] toward the back end of the game and Phoenix [Gedeon] – I just thought we were able to read the floor much better. When the shot clock was winding down we were able to make drives that either created a shot or another pass for an ability to score. It’s obviously something we talk about. It’s not easy to do, but tonight we were pretty good in that area.”
On his adjustments at halftime that helped his team pull away…
“The adjustments that you make are more fine-tuning things that you have gone over for the most part. I think we did a better job of staying grounded, contesting and keeping them off the glass. It was kind of going to be who was going to be more successful inside and I think we did a better job in that area. Even when we were missing we were able to get big-time offensive boards and a finish.”
On Jailah Donald’s improved play…
“I think it was one of her best games. We are asking her to do something she didn’t think she would have to do. She is now playing multiple positions for us and I think she has embraced that and for the most part has really started to understand what she can do from that spot. It’s a nice weapon to have and she is continuing to build. Her and Skye [Owen] both have started to get more comfortable in what they do. I think Jailah will only continue to get better and Skye will get better too.”
Senior Guard Ber’Nyah Mayo
On continuing her consistent scoring…
“Just understanding my game, getting to my spots and understanding the types of shots I want to take.”
Graduate Student Forward Jillian Archer
On her stellar defensive play…
“I think the biggest thing is just playing smart and playing off the energy from my teammates. They are constantly talking to me and telling me where to go and what to do.”
On taking advantage of the looks Butler was giving them defensively…
“Definitely trying to capitalize off their defense. Just kinda making adjustments if we see a double-team coming or a back-door cut, just trying to call for the ball and move it.”
On the balanced scoring tonight…
“I definitely think ball movement played a big part of it. We really try to talk about sharing the ball and it was great to go out there and execute it.”
Opening statement…
“ Pleased with our effort throughout the entire game. I think for us to respond and I was curious to see how we would play after Saturday’s performance. Just kind of getting through the past couple of days in our preparation, but I thought we grinded enough in the first half and I thought in the second half we were able to take control of the game just by clamping down on defense and being able to contest a lot better than we did in the first half. It’s been a long time in a game where we haven’t given up a second-chance point. I think for us to be able to do that and keep them off the glass for second chances was really good. And our points in the paint were probably as good as they have been in a while. Excited for our effort tonight and now we will turn the page and get ready for the next one.”
On getting everyone involved on offense…
“ Obviously we try to do it in every game and I thought we did a much better job of that. Unique’s [Drake] been still trying to work herself back and to see us to be able to do that with her struggling a little bit tonight and still trying to get her wind back. It was great to see Tara [Daye], Jailah [Donald], Skye [Owen] toward the back end of the game and Phoenix [Gedeon] – I just thought we were able to read the floor much better. When the shot clock was winding down we were able to make drives that either created a shot or another pass for an ability to score. It’s obviously something we talk about. It’s not easy to do, but tonight we were pretty good in that area.”
On his adjustments at halftime that helped his team pull away…
“The adjustments that you make are more fine-tuning things that you have gone over for the most part. I think we did a better job of staying grounded, contesting and keeping them off the glass. It was kind of going to be who was going to be more successful inside and I think we did a better job in that area. Even when we were missing we were able to get big-time offensive boards and a finish.”
On Jailah Donald’s improved play…
“I think it was one of her best games. We are asking her to do something she didn’t think she would have to do. She is now playing multiple positions for us and I think she has embraced that and for the most part has really started to understand what she can do from that spot. It’s a nice weapon to have and she is continuing to build. Her and Skye [Owen] both have started to get more comfortable in what they do. I think Jailah will only continue to get better and Skye will get better too.”
Senior Guard Ber’Nyah Mayo
On continuing her consistent scoring…
“Just understanding my game, getting to my spots and understanding the types of shots I want to take.”
Graduate Student Forward Jillian Archer
On her stellar defensive play…
“I think the biggest thing is just playing smart and playing off the energy from my teammates. They are constantly talking to me and telling me where to go and what to do.”
On taking advantage of the looks Butler was giving them defensively…
“Definitely trying to capitalize off their defense. Just kinda making adjustments if we see a double-team coming or a back-door cut, just trying to call for the ball and move it.”
On the balanced scoring tonight…
“I definitely think ball movement played a big part of it. We really try to talk about sharing the ball and it was great to go out there and execute it.”