Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus UCLA on March 29, 2026 , Loss , 58, to, 70
/
Final
Women's Basketball
58
vs UCLA
70
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Coach Lawson Media Availability Quotes (12.3.24)
12/3/2024 9:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke women's basketball head coach Kara Lawson met with members of the media Tuesday afternoon via Zoom. Lawson recapped the Blue Devils' 3-0 week before previewing Duke's upcoming games at South Carolina (Dec. 5) and versus Virginia Tech (Dec. 8) this week.
HEAD COACH KARA LAWSON
Opening Statement
"It was a hard week for us, obviously, [we] played some good competition, and Sunday's the game that kind of sticks in my head. We didn't play particularly well, and so we're trying to keep improving and get better. It's a big week for us. Obviously, a tough road game here on Thursday and then Sunday [we] start ACC play, and we did not fare well in our ACC opener last year. That's certainly top of mind for me. So, it is an important week for us, to get conference started as well. Just looking forward to the competition and looking forward to the matchups."
On South Carolina's depth and the potential to match it…
"Their depth is terrific. You could argue three deep at some positions, great experience when you look at their roster and virtually intact from a season ago, with the exception of Cardoza, who graduated. So, seniors in the backcourt one through three, five as a senior, four as a junior. I mean, just really experienced together and then off the bench, their freshman last year got a lot of experience in big games, obviously, and certainly don't play like sophomores. And they have some talented freshmen off their bench as well. So, a complete team, both ends of the floor. For us, we're growing, trying to grow our depth. We have a couple of freshmen we bring off the bench. We have a sophomore in (Jordan Wood) Woody, who is kind of like a freshman in terms of the experience, the number of minutes that she played, and big games that she didn't play in a season ago. And then obviously having de Jesus is huge for us off our bench. The experience of a fifth-year senior; and then Oluchi (Okananwa) was a freshman who got a lot of experience last year, you know, she's just a sophomore. So, I think it's kind of a mix for us, off our bench as well, and they have done a great job of being productive, being productive for us. They've given us consistent output, which has been necessary"
On having Vanessa de Jesus back…
"I think, no matter who we play, it's a great thing to have de Jesus back. She has a great understanding of our scheme and our playbook. She's a tough, tough player, and competitive. She's skilled. She can make shots for us. She can play and make plays off of the ball screen actions. So, just having someone reliable on your team is very valuable. In particular, at the point guard position, is something that you need. You need to have some of that reliability, and she certainly showed that on Sunday's game."
On Reigan Richardson's play this season and the work she's put in to take her game to the next level…
"It's not any more than she did in the previous years. Reigan, one of her greatest qualities is the consistency of her work. Reigan hasn't had a bad practice in three years. I can't say that about any other player, okay? And when I say bad practice, [I mean] like effort, her effort's always high. She has had practices where she's missed shots or turned it over or things like that. But every day, this player comes in and works hard every single day, for three years. So, her work has just been so consistent. Every day she shoots before practice, every game she comes in early before shooting around, gets her shots every day at practice, and she's focused and locked in. Her brain isn't elsewhere. Every day, every day her brain is locked into what we're doing with our scheme. She doesn't forget plays; she doesn't mess up stuff that you draw up. She's there every day, so that consistency over time is just a great instructional, instructional example. To add to all of us, not just the players that she plays with, to all of us. Like to be really good at something takes time, and it takes consistency of work to get that. And so many young people want it right away. And for Reigan to have been on the outside, it looks like a gradual build. But she's just been consistent with her work. And then, her maturity as a player, I think is better as a senior, I don't think she's not improved in things. Like, it's just what you would expect for a senior, right? Like, she's been in more big games, like she's been in top-10 matchups, she's been on the road, she's been in the NCAA Tournament, so she just has this collection of experiences now that she can tap into as a player."
On starting ACC play Sunday…
"I think the way we've played our schedule, it's kind of like, you play Oklahoma after you play Kansas State. Can you play two really good games back-to-back? I mean, that's what we kind of look at, and certainly not looking ahead at all to Sunday, but when we do get back on Friday morning, we'll have to turn the page rather quickly. And that game is a really important game, the most important game. You only get 18 of them, and every one of them counts the same. So, what happens sometimes in conference play is you can think that they count differently, and they don't, and everyone does. The beautiful thing about conference play is everyone starts in the same place. No one gets a lead, and no one gets a staggered start. Everyone starts from the same place, and that's why I love the race this year. I think it's going to be great in our league, and it's finally a balanced schedule, which I think will give us a true champion of the ACC."
To stay up to date with Duke women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the YouTube channel by searching "DukeWBB."
50 Seasons of Duke Women's Basketball
The 2024-25 season marks the 50th anniversary of Duke women's basketball, a program rich in tradition, excellence and success. From its early foundations to national dominance, the Blue Devils have become a powerhouse in both athletics and academics. Join us in commemorating five decades of sisterhood, championships and iconic moments as we set the stage for the next 50 years. For more information, please visit goduke.com/WBB50
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
HEAD COACH KARA LAWSON
Opening Statement
"It was a hard week for us, obviously, [we] played some good competition, and Sunday's the game that kind of sticks in my head. We didn't play particularly well, and so we're trying to keep improving and get better. It's a big week for us. Obviously, a tough road game here on Thursday and then Sunday [we] start ACC play, and we did not fare well in our ACC opener last year. That's certainly top of mind for me. So, it is an important week for us, to get conference started as well. Just looking forward to the competition and looking forward to the matchups."
On South Carolina's depth and the potential to match it…
"Their depth is terrific. You could argue three deep at some positions, great experience when you look at their roster and virtually intact from a season ago, with the exception of Cardoza, who graduated. So, seniors in the backcourt one through three, five as a senior, four as a junior. I mean, just really experienced together and then off the bench, their freshman last year got a lot of experience in big games, obviously, and certainly don't play like sophomores. And they have some talented freshmen off their bench as well. So, a complete team, both ends of the floor. For us, we're growing, trying to grow our depth. We have a couple of freshmen we bring off the bench. We have a sophomore in (Jordan Wood) Woody, who is kind of like a freshman in terms of the experience, the number of minutes that she played, and big games that she didn't play in a season ago. And then obviously having de Jesus is huge for us off our bench. The experience of a fifth-year senior; and then Oluchi (Okananwa) was a freshman who got a lot of experience last year, you know, she's just a sophomore. So, I think it's kind of a mix for us, off our bench as well, and they have done a great job of being productive, being productive for us. They've given us consistent output, which has been necessary"
On having Vanessa de Jesus back…
"I think, no matter who we play, it's a great thing to have de Jesus back. She has a great understanding of our scheme and our playbook. She's a tough, tough player, and competitive. She's skilled. She can make shots for us. She can play and make plays off of the ball screen actions. So, just having someone reliable on your team is very valuable. In particular, at the point guard position, is something that you need. You need to have some of that reliability, and she certainly showed that on Sunday's game."
On Reigan Richardson's play this season and the work she's put in to take her game to the next level…
"It's not any more than she did in the previous years. Reigan, one of her greatest qualities is the consistency of her work. Reigan hasn't had a bad practice in three years. I can't say that about any other player, okay? And when I say bad practice, [I mean] like effort, her effort's always high. She has had practices where she's missed shots or turned it over or things like that. But every day, this player comes in and works hard every single day, for three years. So, her work has just been so consistent. Every day she shoots before practice, every game she comes in early before shooting around, gets her shots every day at practice, and she's focused and locked in. Her brain isn't elsewhere. Every day, every day her brain is locked into what we're doing with our scheme. She doesn't forget plays; she doesn't mess up stuff that you draw up. She's there every day, so that consistency over time is just a great instructional, instructional example. To add to all of us, not just the players that she plays with, to all of us. Like to be really good at something takes time, and it takes consistency of work to get that. And so many young people want it right away. And for Reigan to have been on the outside, it looks like a gradual build. But she's just been consistent with her work. And then, her maturity as a player, I think is better as a senior, I don't think she's not improved in things. Like, it's just what you would expect for a senior, right? Like, she's been in more big games, like she's been in top-10 matchups, she's been on the road, she's been in the NCAA Tournament, so she just has this collection of experiences now that she can tap into as a player."
On starting ACC play Sunday…
"I think the way we've played our schedule, it's kind of like, you play Oklahoma after you play Kansas State. Can you play two really good games back-to-back? I mean, that's what we kind of look at, and certainly not looking ahead at all to Sunday, but when we do get back on Friday morning, we'll have to turn the page rather quickly. And that game is a really important game, the most important game. You only get 18 of them, and every one of them counts the same. So, what happens sometimes in conference play is you can think that they count differently, and they don't, and everyone does. The beautiful thing about conference play is everyone starts in the same place. No one gets a lead, and no one gets a staggered start. Everyone starts from the same place, and that's why I love the race this year. I think it's going to be great in our league, and it's finally a balanced schedule, which I think will give us a true champion of the ACC."
To stay up to date with Duke women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the YouTube channel by searching "DukeWBB."
50 Seasons of Duke Women's Basketball
The 2024-25 season marks the 50th anniversary of Duke women's basketball, a program rich in tradition, excellence and success. From its early foundations to national dominance, the Blue Devils have become a powerhouse in both athletics and academics. Join us in commemorating five decades of sisterhood, championships and iconic moments as we set the stage for the next 50 years. For more information, please visit goduke.com/WBB50
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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