Quotes: Duke 67, Arizona State 59

Duke Coach Joanne P. McCallie

Opening statement
“It was a very physical and aggressive game all the way through. I loved how things started out initially. We had a terrific start moving the ball and playing tough throughout. Obviously, it's a game of runs and at this time of the year, games are always exciting. This one certainly had its moments. I think Joy's rebound at the end was absolutely huge. I thought Chante just dominated and really maintained great poise despite tremendous physical play inside. I thought Wanisha was a senior who wanted the ball all the time to try and create. So we had a lot of really good things going. This team is growing together and getting better with each game. We're excited about it and looking forward to going to Oklahoma City.”

On the quick start:
“I think the team came ready and very focused. I really loved that we had four assists on our first four baskets. Now, we didn't keep up that pace and that's something that we'll have to work on. We were very intense and I think it showed in our start. Unfortunately, fast starts can haunt you a little bit because they can bait you into taking some quick shots and that did happen to us a little bit. We were shooting the ball quick and that helped Arizona State. They were patient.”

On Arizona State's run to get back into the game:
“I think everybody picked up their focus late in the game. There was a period where we rushed a couple of shots and turned the ball over. I think the team regrouped. Wanisha was demanding the ball and she had a good take towards the end of the game and she made a nice pass to Chante. We had people looking for people and I think that's a very good thing. Our leadership came from our upperclassmen who dictated where the ball should be.”

On her team attempting just four three-pointers during the game:
“Arizona State loves to pressure and they do a good job with their pressure. I think what it came to maintaining our composure for roughly 33 minutes of the game. When Chante is that dominate on the inside, she absolutely has to touch the ball before a shot goes up mysteriously from some other spot on the floor. Our team really got that and did a great job of executing and looking inside.”

Junior center Chante Black

On being fired up before the game:
“My teammates really wanted us to come out energized, but this time of the year, it's all about having fun and playing your best game. My teammates really pumped me up. They wanted me to have fun and it carried over to the game.”

On Arizona State's defense and was she surprised not to be doubled:
“From watching film, no. In the past, they've played other great post players and didn't double so I knew it would be a one-on-one type of thing and from there I was ready to make my moves. Coach Brown really prepared each post player for that.”

Senior guard Wanisha Smith

On Duke's quick start:
“We wanted to come out in the first five minutes and attack. Luckily in the first half, we got some quick shots that we were able to make and some great plays for easy layups.”

Sophomore forward Joy Cheek

On playing inside:
“I wanted to take my time and be patient in the post. Coach P. always teaches us to take what the defense gives us. If they gave us a double-team, then we were prepared to make the moves we needed to make and if there weren't any double-teams, then we were prepared to take it one-on-one.”

Arizona State Coach Charli Turner Thorne

Opening Statement:
“Our hats off to Duke. They made a few more plays than us tonight. They are a tremendous team and we wish them the best of luck. I am very proud of my team and the effort we put forth but we just fell a little bit short. I think we have a lot to build on with the majority of our team coming back. We might not have gotten to an elite level, but we had elite seniors (Jill Noe and Reagan Pariseau) this year and we are going to miss them a lot.

On Duke's post play:
“Chante Black hurt us, not only on the boards but in scoring. I thought there post game really stepped up. They are a great rebounding team.”

Junior forward Lauren Lacey

On how Duke's Chante Black stacked up:
“She is an amazing post and all-around player and works extremely hard on both ends of the court.”

Junior guard Briann January

On making run at the end and what Arizona State did differently to hold Duke down at the end of the game:
“We started being more aggressive and played our solid defense, attacking the rim like we knew we could and just got back to our style of basketball.”