Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus #16 Baylor on November 3, 2025 at 12 p.m.
Women's Basketball
vs #16 Baylor
Quotes: Duke 84, Western Carolina 47
12/29/2015 10:14:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Duke Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie
Opening Statement:
Opening Statement:
“I think we got after it a little bit in the second half. I appreciate the contributions of a lot of different folks. I thought not only what Azurá [Stevens] is doing and Oderah [Chidom] as well, but off the bench Faith [Suggs] gave us a nice lift with a lot of confidence. Haley [Gorecki] did some nice things too with her rebounding. Angela [Salvadores] as well. So if we could ever limit turnovers, we'll have even more fun. We'll continue to work on that. We're excited to play soon, again, on Thursday.”
On turnovers:
“I think we have some stubborn people. Angela's turnovers are because she does take that biddy step. So she's adjusting from where she plays to here. Haley is still chucking the ball around a little too much. I focus on those two because there's six and five right there. Lyneé [Belton] wasn't really looking where she should look. My point is, you have to really get excited about being a great and special team. You really have to be the kind of player that looks at this turnover thing … like Oderah, you see one for Oderah. One for Becca [Greenwell]. That just speaks to their smarts and IQ. You've got to be a player who plays with one or two and does not turn the ball over. It's got to be a pride thing. I'm not going to do it and I'm going to have the judgment to slow down and move the ball if I can't make that play”
On controlling the paint:
“We need to get the ball inside and then just stay strong there. I thought we did that, especially in the second half.”
On the change in the offense following a third quarter timeout:
“I think the players locked in better. We're not going to get that slippage because you could see slippage. To try and stop it right in that moment. I thought the players did a pretty good job of refocusing.”
On balanced contributions:
“I think it's good because we're developing players. You know the ages of our players. The more experience people can get the more comfortability. To see Faith make the move she did to score like that, it showed her skill set. She couldn't make that a month ago. She just wouldn't have done it. I like to see that confidence and skill set coming together, so I was really glad that we could have everyone play.”
On Faith Suggs:
“I think that's the after Christmas wake up that we often get with players. I mean after Christmas … you know you go home you reconnect, ok now I've got to get serious. We've had all that October, November practice and so I think she did a really good job coming back.”
On using different lineups:
“Well I hope they have the sense to want to play and do what they do. I like playing four guards very much. We have to rebound better from that position. But we can defend and we can really attack. I like the versatility. We can still go back and play three posts. We can put Lyneé together with Oderah and Azurá and we can do something different there. I want to embrace our versatility and we want to be ready for what we're doing at that time.”
“I think my teammates did a good job of finding me. Angela [Salvadores] especially just, that pass she had in the second half was really good. We can do that every night.”
On her comfort playing at multiple spots on the floor:
“I really like the new lineups we have, especially the four-guard lineup. I think it's really a good opportunity for the guards to get out there and speed things up and especially useful when we go to our presses. So it's really cool to see that change.”
On the team's high shooting percentage:
“I think it's really important, especially down low. And then that will just open up shots for Becca [Greenwell] and others who can score on the outside. We've just really got to focus in on that.”
Junior Forward Oderah Chidom
On wearing down Western Carolina in the second half:
Junior Forward Oderah Chidom
On wearing down Western Carolina in the second half:
“I attribute it completely to our defense. At halftime Coach P made a point that we needed to pick up our defense and offense would come. So defense was primarily our focus in the second half.”
On the team's high shooting percentage:
“I attribute it a lot of focus. When you catch the ball in the paint, coaches make a clear point to make sure you're balanced, make sure you have a wide stance and you're strong.”
Western Carolina head coach Stephanie McCormick:
Opening Statement:
Western Carolina head coach Stephanie McCormick:
Opening Statement:
“I want to think Duke for the great hospitality here that we have had. The kids were very excited to come here and play as far as the facilities and game management. I am so proud of these kids and the fight they showed today. The last quarter was a little disappointing for us, but they never quit, they never stop fighting. They were always attacking, they took the game plan, and they really set out to do what we asked them to do as far as the game plan is concerned. I have nothing but accolades to say for this young team that I have right now.”
On going into conference play:
“I do not think anyone in the conference will be as big as Duke is across the board, so it should give us some confidence going in, especially against the zone with them being as big as they are, and that fact that we could score against them. We have been having a hard time scoring and coming in here being able to put the ball in the basket, and get stops, should give us a little confidence on both sides of the ball.”
On being the head coach after 15 years as an assistant:
“It is so different, but it is great! I really enjoy the moments on the court. Your word is the last word; there is no one else to look to so in the heat of the moment it is a little different. I am embracing it though, it is good to have kids around you that can respect what you are saying, soak it in, and go out and execute what you are saying.”
On the decision to change the starting lineup:
“We needed to have a good start and Raziyah Farrington has showed time in and time out that she deserved to get that opportunity. She is one of our hardest workers constantly on the floor and she deserved that start. With the lineup that we had, we had a good group to come in and really attack. I wanted to go in aggressive, I did not want to be passive or on our heels, and the group that we started was a group that could go in and take it to them first.”
Western Carolina Sophomore Guard Ace Easter:
On the speed of the game:
Western Carolina Sophomore Guard Ace Easter:
On the speed of the game:
“I think the way that we practice had us ready for the pace of the game. I think that we work hard every day and what we work on is attacking and running the floor.”
Western Carolina Freshman Guard Raziyah Farrington:
On the speed of the game:
Western Carolina Freshman Guard Raziyah Farrington:
On the speed of the game:
“I agree with Ace, that is something that we try to make our main focus; attacking the basket. We pretty much can take anyone of the dribble and so we try to utilize that.”
On getting first start of career:
“First I want to say thank you to coach for giving me the opportunity. It is different, especially coming from high school; the pace of the game in general is just way faster. I knew once coach gave me this opportunity that I had to take advantage of it. I was a little nervous, but after my first two turnovers, I kind of shook it off.”
On coming back home:
“It was so exciting, I was so happy to play Duke, and we just finished playing NC State too. I am just so happy to be back home.”
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