George Washington University Athletics
GW/Auburn Post-Game Quotes
12/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 19, 2008
NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
December 19, 2008
#10/10 Auburn 65
@ GW 51
Post-Game Quotes
GW Coach Mike Bozeman
Opening statement
"I believe that first you have to give credit to Auburn. They're definitely a Top-10 caliber team. The coaching staff is doing a great job with them, the players are responding. That was exhibited in the first half. They came out operating on all cylinders...At the same time, as flat as we came out, our girls still had some resiliency not to let the game get totally out of hand. We hung in there, the game got deep into double figures in the first half...we had 17 turnovers in the first half. But even in the fact of that, you could see a certain pride that they wanted to hang in...In the second half, you see the heart of the GW team. It took us awhile to get started, but they showed the kind of fire that we're capable of playing with."
What did you think of DeWanna Bonner?
"She's an All-American. This isn't the first game she's done that; she's done that her whole career...She's a very talented player, a next-level player. She's a pro."
What helped you make that run in the second half?
"The level of intensity picked up. We played with some urgency. At no point did I lose confidence in them. I was confounded by our lack of intensity in the first half, but I was equally proud of them in the second half. They turned a situation that could have been an embarassing performance into one I can be proud they represented us in."
Auburn Coach Nell Fortner
Opening statement
"I'm really happy to come away with a win against a team like George Washington, on the road, after the break...We've never beaten George Washington here or at our place, so it was a big game. I'm proud of how the team responded to their strong run in the second half and got the win."
What did you tell them when your lead got down to just a few points?
"We just had to make stops. It comes down to just a few defensive mistakes that turns the tide of the game, like not getting out on the three-point shooter. We had people sagging in who shouldn't have...or we missed a baseline move. You can lose a lead so quick...I have to give them a lot of credit. We are a veteran team, and their veteranship showed up tonight in that they didn't lose their confidence. They knew exactly what they needed to do, and they did it."
Auburn senior guard DeWanna Bonner
Opening statement
"It was a good game. I credit George Washington. They made a good run to come back on us. We just kind of kept our composure, knocked down some free throws at the end, and really had good senior leadership...But George Washington's post players are awesome. They're really good."
Did you feel like the team let back after starting so strong?
"I don't think we let up; we just got comfortable a little bit. Basketball is a game of runs. We got up and then they just came back and made a great run on us."
Auburn senior guard Whitney Boddie
Is it your duty and DeWanna's when the game gets close at the end to pick the team up?
"I don't think it's our duty. DeWanna is a go-to player, and she really stepped up. They cut it to three, then could've cut it to one...that's when big-time players make plays. My job is to keep my poise and settle the team down. My job was just to get the ball to the scorer's hands, and that's DeWanna."
What was the difference between the first and second halves that helped GW come back?
"Rebounding, and their post players. We started giving away the baseline, which we didn't want to do...Then their shooter pair got hot and made a run. But we stopped them and stepped up when we needed to."
