University of Connecticut Athletics
Quotes: UConn 92, Temple 58
1/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Recap | Final Stats | Photo Gallery 1 
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UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma
On coming out strong in the first half:
"That's pretty much the goal most games. I can't think of a better way to start any game, getting three or four layups right away, and getting to the free throw line as well. Morgan (Tuck) and Stewie were very aggressive right from the beginning, and they know if they're working hard, are aggressive, and they want the ball, they're going to get it. We're not going to refuse to throw it to them because we haven't shot from the three point line yet. That's the plan every game, today it worked a lot better."
On Brianna Stewart and Morgan Tuck's chemistry:
"They're good together. They both have very good instincts. They can anticipate each other's moves. They've played a lot of basketball together, and they have a lot of certain skills that allows them to be good teammates and help each other. Those two have a great rapport together, and that's not necessarily something you can teach or coach."
On Morgan Tuck being the player to pull it all together:
"Moriah (Jefferson), Kaleena (Mosqueda-Lewis), and Stewie are very good players and can do a lot, but the same way Stefanie (Dolson) was able to pull it all together last year and make sure that things looked smooth. Sometimes it looks choppy and lousy, and Morgan has the ability (to pull it all together) because she can score from many different places on the court. She is a pretty good passer who understands the game. If we didn't have her, we would need to find a way to get everyone as comfortable as they are now."
RS Sophomore Forward Morgan Tuck:
On teams having to contend with both her and Stewie inside:
"I think it makes it easier. When we have some inside presence starting off, it opens up for shooters on the outside"
On whether the strategy was to go inside early:
"I think that's what we tried to do because they were undersized and we knew that… We just want to prove to the coaches that we can produce each game. He gets on the post sometimes about not being tough enough and not having a presence, so I think we tried to do that."
Freshmen Guard Kia Nurse:
On how the offense is working right now and if there's anything to improve:
"I think there's definitely room for improvement on any team, anywhere. I know there's little things that we can clean up, and we're going to be working on those things in practice, but we've come out pretty well and our offense is working as best as it can right now."
On whether other teams have been struggling to keep up:
"Definitely, I think our defense is a little intimidating at times…Offensively, we like to get out and run and that can cause a lot of problems. Defensively, we like to get up on you and create turnovers and that can also cause problems for other teams."
Temple Head Coach Tonya Cardoza
Opening Statement
"Obviously it's great to be back in Gampel. It's one of the best basketball venues around. As a coach you don't want to come here and be on the losing side of it. I've won so many games here, to come in and lose it's unfamiliar territory for me. We were up against one of the best teams out there and were definitely outmatched. I felt like my players competed. We talked about how teams, when they come to this building or see the name on the front of the jersey, the game is already over, and I felt like we still went out there and competed. Obviously we were outmatched, but I felt like we put in a valiant effort. They're a really good team. They shoot the ball well and have a great inside-outside combination. Hopefully one day we will get to that point."
On the play of UConn in the paint and the discrepancy in points in the paint during the gam:e
"You watch film on them and they have Kiah Stokes and Brianna Stewart, and you can't go in and challenge them if you don't have a post player. They're just going to sit there and wait. I felt like it was going to be difficult for our guards to do what they do best and that is beat people off the dribble because they are there waiting for you. So we were forced to shoot a lot of 3's because those are the only shots we thought we were going to get that were open. We're not going to get points in the paint when you have Stewart and Kiah Stokes in there waiting for you."
On the play of Morgan Tuck:
"She's just playing with so much confidence right now. Maybe sitting out last year and watching the team helped. She has really raised the level of them. I think that some people thought that when they lost Stefanie Dolson and Bria Hartley that this would be the year, but she has definitely taken in upon herself to improve her game. She's shooting such a high percentage. There is no way that we can match up with her one-on-one and even a double team. She might be undersized for them, but for us we needed three guys to keep her out of the paint. She can score either way. She's just playing really good basketball."
