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Duke/Auburn Postgame Quotes
12/31/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 31, 2004
Recap | Box Score | Notes
Quoting Duke Head Coach Gail Goestenkors
On their inside game*
"The inside has been our focus all year long. Most people are lucky if they get one or two good post players, and I feel like we have four that are a really good size. That is something that we really work on. We have been a guard team, but since we lost our top guard last year, we have moved the focus to the post."
On hitting three pointers*
"We decided to go inside early on and then the outside would open up for us. We just knocked in our shots."
On their defense*
"Our transition defense was much better today than what it has been. I was really concerned coming into this game because of how good Auburn's defense is, but I thought that we did a good job."
On having winning games by a large margin*
"These games do not feel like they are easy. Nell Fortner has done such a great job with this team. They are an up tempo team that is really exciting to watch. This has been the best game that we have played. If we were not up in our game, this would have been a real close one. We usually do not shoot at 51 percent."
Duke Guard Wanisha Smith
On the game*
"We came out and played great as a team. I think that is what we really needed was a good showing from the entire team. We had two good games (at the Auburn Holiday Classic) and a good practice yesterday I think this trip was good for us."
On team's playing going into conference play*
"I think we played great as a team today and that really helps us going into conference play. When you know that your team is there for you and you can rely on them, it does wonders for your ability to win. I think the depth that we used also gives us confidence in knowing that off the bench we have good players. It is something that will help us throughout conference play and into the tournament."
Duke Forward Mistie Williams
On the game*
"We had a great time out there today and I think that is something that this team has lacked this season. I am a very emotional player and when we are doing good and enjoying ourselves I think it adds a kind of electricity to our game. It helps us elevate our game to a different level."
On her double-double*
"I think when you have 10 rebounds going into halftime you have to get the double-double. I think that my ability to play so well helps me mature as a player. I am happy that I got it and I am glad I was able to help this team."
Quoting Auburn head coach Nell Fortner:
"Duke is a very good team. Their rebounding really hurt us today. They're so much bigger than us and we just couldn't keep them off the boards."
"We played with the same effort as we always do. We played with a lot of heart, the shots just weren't falling, and it seems like Duke couldn't miss. They were knocking down shots the whole second half." On the run late in the game*
"We were just trying to finish strong and close the margin a little bit. Duke was shooting so well. They shot 68 percent in the second half and that's tough to overcome."
On Alexis Ogubie*
"She played well today. She made some tough shots. She's hard to block. We're going to keep working with her and hope she continues to get better."
Jacksonville State*
"We're going to go down there and try to regroup. The next game is at Florida to start our conference schedule. We're looking forward to the conference. It's going to be a tremendous challenge for us. It's going to be tough, but we're excited."
Quoting Auburn center Marita Payne:
On difference in game*
"I think they really took advantage of their height. We hadn't really been tested with height until now. The high-low killed us today. They saw that we weren't defending it and they took advantage. Also, defending the 3-pointers was a problem for us. Their shots were falling, and they definitely took advantage of their height."
On any half-time adjustments*
"We came out in the second half and weren't going to be intimidated by them. We wanted to come out and just play our game. There were only little sections when we were playing our game, we didn't control the game very well. They set the pace today."
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