George Washington University Athletics
GW/Rhode Island Post-Game Quotes
2/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 8, 2009
NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
February 8, 2009
@ GW 55
Rhode Island 48
GW Coach Mike Bozeman
Opening statement
"I won't say we played a lot better. We still shot 36 percent from the floor. Any coach will tell you that from three-point land, 33-percent is a great percentage; we shot 28 percent. So I'm not totally satisfied with that either. But I will take the effort, which was lacking from our previous game. That was one of the focal points in our film session and pregame preparation for this game--to make sure we maximize our effort. When we do that, good things will start happening. Now, we'll work on our skill development and get our shots to fall again. We're way too good of a shooting team for us to keep shooting this way. It will come on; I'm confident of that, and we'll be back on the track we were on before the Richmond game."
How important was it to get a win today, especially with Xavier coming up next?
"We can't afford to look ahead. We have to take every game as if it's the most important game. Again, it was important for them to come out and give the GW kind of effort that everyone is used to seeing. Playing well will fall into place once you do that."
How did the team make the needed adjustments after Richmond?
"I think they heard the comments, they read them, and they took that personally. That's something I really appreciate about this team. They don't want to let the school down, but they don't want to let me down either...I was impressed with how they came back to practice willing to work hard and establish themselves as a hard-working team."
What does this game show you about the team?
"It shows that they have the fight in them... We're learning how to stay focused and maintain that energy level throughout. It's not to let your offense dictate your defense or your effort. I'd say that was a lesson learned today."
Is there a silver lining to that Richmond loss?
"Every game is going to be a lesson, win or lose. But yes, it's better to get it out of our system. No game is a cakewalk in our conference. We have to bring our skill sets with us. I'd rather Antelia [Parrish] get those shooting woes out now so that when we go to Ohio, we're going to be ready for battle. Xavier's a good team...But just like people don't come into George Washington thinking they're going to lose, we're going down there to get a win."
How did you counter Rhode Island's runs?
"We countered them with defense. Players like Jessica are going to give you that example. Instead of just talking it, she's showing them that kind of effort. We usually switch everything on defense except the big, and she said `no coach, switch everything. I got it.' And she did it. She's out there guarding people, and that's the effort you need out of your All-American."
How did your non-conference schedule help get you ready to handle the rigors of conference play?
"I think our non-conference schedule was so tough, it was preparing us. There were lessons we were learning, such as how to win on the road...Some of the lessons are being learned, and we're taking them and applying them in the games."
Senior center Jessica Adair
How did you change your approach to this game?
"After coming off a loss to Richmond and not playing well the last two games, as a senior captain, I had to come out and step my game up in hopes that everyone else will follow."
What made the difference today after the loss to Richmond?
"Intensity, effort, heart....You don't come out to lose, and we played horrible in that game. And we knew today that we had to step it up and play like GW."
Freshman forward/guard Tara Booker
How did you change your game from last week's loss?
"Like Jessica said, it was a lot of effort and intensity. I just keep shooting."
