Texas Tech vs. Abilene Christian Postgame Quotes
December 04, 2014 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 3, 2014
Recap | Final Stats | Notes
Candi Whitaker
Lady Raider Head Coach
Opening Statement
"I thought we played with definitely more intensity. On the defensive end I thought we did a good job guarding them, getting to the shooters, following the bounce, and following our scout. For the first time this year I'm really happy with the carry over we had. Defensively I thought we started to attack and offensively we did a job getting to the paint, to the rim and finishing. I'm really proud. Abilene Christian is a good team and they were five and one coming into this game. Proud of our team and the win."
On harping on the players the last eight minutes
"The harping probably started earlier, maybe the listening started at that point. It was early on when we were just no shot until we were able to get into the paint. We needed to either post feed or attack the paint with a dribble before we took perimeter shots. Once they started doing that I felt like we were getting better looks and dominating more inside. I thought there was a point where we started pulling away and Amber Battle took over. She had plays on both ends of the floor and you could just feel the momentum shift and it was Amber making a play, Amber getting to the rim, getting a big rebound, and really getting her team going. When we can run offense and be patient I think we can be effective. When we take early shots and aren't patient we are not very efficient."
On what it meant to have Amber back
"She is just a dynamic player, she can help you in every way. It wasn't just about `oh good Amber can score' its really more about `Amber can rebound, Amber can defend' and she gives us another scoring option. She is just a great player that we've obviously been missing. Really proud that our team handled that well and I think we grew when we didn't have her. We had to have other people step up, get minutes, and get plays. So I think we are just that much better for it."
On getting upset by Abilene Christian last year
"It means a lot to me and it means a lot to everyone who lost last year. I think the ones that weren't here last year weren't quit as passionate as we were about getting this win. Our team is better and we've improved a lot. We were more versatile in our scoring, better defensively, and we rebounded better. I think it just shows the progress we've made."
Amber Battle
Senior Gaurd
On how she felt getting back out there
"It was just good to get out there with my team. My shots weren't falling but I was trying to focus on rebounding and defense, things I can control. That really helped me get back in it."
On the atmosphere with the elementary children
"It was crazy and loud. We like it like that. They're our biggest fans really and it gets us pumped up."
On how they dominated on the boards
"Rebounding is one of our key points and they are a good rebounding team. So it was really important for us to box out and pursue the rebounds, and I think we got it done."
Minta Spears
Sophomore Gaurd
On how it felt to have Amber back
"It helped so much. I am so excited that Amber is back and it's just fun to play with her. It felt good to get that first game under our belt and get our chemistry back. I'm excited to see what happens next."
On how Amber helped open up the outside
"If Amber is in the game you have to worry about her driving because she can get to the rim whenever she wants and against anyone. So they really had to guard and help off of on her, Kelsi and Dayo. So that helped me and Rayven get a lot of open shots."
