Minnesota postgame quotes
Published on August 6, 2006 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Minnesota Lynx News Release
Minnesota Coach Carolyn Jenkins:
"This feels much better. Before the game I talked to the team about this week and what these last four games mean to us. The first thing was to try to get this game. We have an opportunity this week in four games to take three series advantages. First, starting with San Antonio, we're 3-1. We're 1-1 with Phoenix. We'd like to be able to get a win against Sacramento obviously, and we're 1-1 with L.A. We just talked about our focus being kind of like this is our playoff week and treating it that way, especially this one at home -- just going out and playing hard and having fun out there, and putting on a good show for our fans. And the team did a great job of doing that."
"For a team that has some great three-point shooters, for them to only make two three-point shots for the game is exceptional. One of the goals that we talked about before the game was to not allow them to make four, and we cut that in half. This team is a very competitive team, and when you challenge them and you give them a number and you tell them that this is your challenge, they really go out and they play hard and they try to meet it. Tonight we met all our goals."
"I don't think it was just tonight. I think we've played with bounce for the past several games. Just tonight it was great to finally get over the hump and get the win for our effort. This team has been working extremely hard, these past couple of weeks especially, trying to get better. And I think you've seen the improvement each game, especially as of late. They wanted to get off on the road and get a last win at home."
"We very easily could be on a four-game winning streak right now just in terms of the way we've played against some really top teams and in terms of them getting ready for the playoffs. It took a Herculean effort from two players on Houston to get out of here with the win. I just think this team has been focused, has been working hard, and I don't want to say that I would have predicted that something like this would have happened -- especially getting up by 20 on a team like San Antonio -- but it was bound to happen and I'm excited that it did happen for them. Especially it being at home."
"The fans have been tremendous, not just in this game, but in the past several home games. We have some very loyal fans and it's just been great that we've been able to come out and put forth the effort that we have had the past few games especially, and really send them off with a great win tonight."
Minnesota Forward Kristen Mann:
"We wanted to come out and get this win for our fans, especially because it's appreciation night and they've been behind us the whole season. It's been a big-time roller coaster. I wouldn't say that we've been frustrated. We've definitely been more confident with each other and feeling more comfortable. I thought we did a good job tonight."
"I think when Seimone struggled a little bit the last couple of games, other players stepped up. I thought Ohlde did a great job for us the last couple of games, really stepped up... I think that's what we're going to need to be more successful. We can't just rely strictly in Seimone. It's hard for one person to do it by themselves. I mean, she's phenomenal -- kudos to her, she's an unbelievable player -- but I think we definitely need to help her out offensively."
"It's good to get our last home win. Hopefully we'll get some more wins on this next road trip and then look forward to next season."
Minnesota Guard Seimone Augustus:
"I think we started off really good... I think that was key for us continuing to have momentum. Once you start to have some offensive structure and it's running well, shots are going to fall. I think we got a lot of great looks. We executed the way we should have... We were just in our comfort zone where we just felt good... It feels great. The last two games that we've had have just been nail-biters right down to the end. Just to win this game feels good... We'll go into the next three games and hopefully have higher confidence to be able to win."
"They have a lot of great shooters. They are kind of undersized in the post, so we wanted to take care of that, but at the same time we wanted to put pressure on their perimeter players and make them drive to the basket... I think we did an excellent job just staying consistent throughout the game. We stayed in our comfort zone, put people in positions to score. I think our defense early on was the weak point in our game, where people scored a lot of points and we weren't able to defend as well. Tonight was a good indication of what we can do when we actually put everything together. Defense was key, defense was key."
San Antonio Coach Dan Hughes:
"I thought we were kind of road-weary in the first half. We really didn't play through our fatigue very well. In the second half, I thought we competed pretty well... We played like a tired team for much of the second quarter and it really put us in a hole. Even though we played pretty well in the second half, it didn't make a lot of difference."
"Augustus continues to make timely baskets. When we would get on the edge and really get into the lead, she would make a tough get... She is a special player. She does some very tough things in that regard... Mann shot it well in the first half and Svetlana shot it well in the second half to compliment Augustus."
"We miss (Shannon Johnson). She's one of our leaders, but part of the deal is people are hurt. You have to pick up for them. I thought Jae Cross off the bench did a really nice job at the point for us. Hopefully we will get Shannon back for these last three."
"We just went to (Young) and I thought she showed what kind of player she is. In the second half we wanted to get the ball down on the block to her and play through her a little bit, and we were able to do it. She has had an excellent rookie year and should have a good career. You look at Augustus and you look at her, it is a pretty special class along with the others."
San Antonio Forward Sophia Young:
"I thought we didn't come out very aggressive in the first half, but in the second we picked it up a little bit. That's pretty much it... We're just going to go out and try and play these last games out as hard as possible and try to come away with three wins, and just keep trying to improve for next year."
"Coach Hughes drew up plays to get me the ball on the inside. We picked it up in the second half and got much more aggressive and started to take it at them. Coach always says to keep them under attack, so that's what we were trying to do."
"I thought the All-Star experience was one of the most amazing things that ever happened to me. To be selected as a rookie says a lot. Just being there with all of the veterans you grew up watching, and playing alongside of them and getting to mingle with them and hear them talk was just amazing."
San Antonio Guard Shanna Zolman:
"It was difficult. We didn't play very well. We don't have an excuse; they outplayed us. They ran the floor and were able to get key rebounds and were able to put the ball in the hoop. We had very, very tired legs, but that's not an excuse because we need to play through that. It comes down to who wants it more, and they wanted it more tonight."
"Being out of the playoffs, you have to find something to play for. Being a young organization, already being able to add to our win total from last year and trying to go out on a positive attitude and mentality... We can continue to build on that."
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