University of Connecticut Athletics
Post-Game Quotes: UConn 80, Columbia 65
12/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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UConn Head Coach Kevin Ollie
"It was a great game for us. It started off a little spirited. We were up 9-0 and they hit a couple of threes and then it became a grind out game.
Our defense was great the last 12 minutes. We didn't miss a shot the last nine minutes. It was a combination of great defense and then great offense. It felt good to see our shooters step and make those shots.
To hold them to 33 percent in the second half after giving up 57 percent (in the first half), I think our guys responded. I think you can really see what our team can be when we start making shots, while still playing solid defense."
On the play of Columbia on Monday
"That's a hard team to play. Maodo Lo is a terrific, terrific basketball player. "
On his thoughts on how Rodney Purvis played
"His last two or three practices have been outstanding. He's been playing hard, getting his rhythm back and playing defense. When you practice it's the art of concentration, and I think he's really concentrating on what he has to do. That's where your focus comes in and then it really translates to the game."
Player Quotes
Redshirt-Sophomore Guard Rodney Purvis
On tonight's game
" Tonight was a good feeling. I'm back now, I've just been staying in the gym practicing at a very high level. I'm going to continue to do that and I'm really excited for the team tonight. We shut them down in the second half and were able to build on our lead by hitting shots."
On getting in a rhythm
" I'm not going to make excuses, like I said, I got in the gym and watched a whole lot of film, picking spots and knowing where my shots are at. I want to step it up until I can't step it up no more. We have to play at a high level and that is what I'm going to continue to do until the end of the year."
On being more aggressive
" Coach Hobbs pulled me to the side before the game and said to be aggressive and not to second guess myself. I am a good shooter, my numbers haven't been the best from the three point line but I can make shots."
Freshman Guard Daniel Hamilton
On shooting with confidence
"It has just been repetitions in the gym. After the Duke loss everybody said we needed to get in the gym. We all were working on our game playing three-on-three and just making sure we weren't hesitant with our shots.
On Rodney's Purvis's play tonight
He had a real big game. I think the work in the gym applies to everybody but it really helped his confidence. When he has that confidence he is a big time player who steps up in the big moments.
Columbia Head Coach Kyle Smith
"I thought it was a good basketball game for 32 minutes or so. We competed pretty well. UConn hadn't shot the ball that well this year. Kudos to them. They made some adjustments and 'beat the scout' as we say. We were trying to keep them out of the paint. We didn't do that very well. We certainly didn't defend the 3-point line as well as we have done all year. They won that game by making shots.
I'm proud of our guys. I thought we had some opportunities, especially when it was a two-point game and we had about 5 or 6 shots we couldn't make. We couldn't get over the hump. You have to play really well to win on the road."
