Jan. 8, 2009

Recap |  Final Stats

BERKELEY -

California Head Coach Mike Mo,ntgomery
On the playing against Washington State:
"Washington State is a hard team to play against, they grind you. They're hard to score against, they're very good defensively. We made mistakes early on the defensive end and gave them baskets."

"We made some plays late and made some shots late. We just weren't as sharp, but I think that credit goes to Washington State, that's what they do."

"When someone just lets you do what you want to do, we're pretty good, but Washington State's not one of those teams."

"They are guys we thought we could defend, but we made some mistakes and they shot it in against us. So, it allowed them to get back in by making baskets. Fortunately we bounced back."

On the play of Jerome Randle:
"Well, they obviously made an effort to defend (Randle) and we didn't react as well out of the pick and rolls as we should have."

On the play of Jamal Boykin:
"Jamal Boykin was very good. He really controlled the boards and gave us some buckets early when we weren't able to get much."

California Forward Jamal Boykin
On playing in close games:
"We have had close games where we have been able to pick it up, get our composure and get up 10 points or go on a run. That means a lot because we know that when teams start getting close, we can pull out close games and tough games. Especially on the road, that means a lot."

"The coaching staff is definitely keeping us calm, keeping us focused late in the games and we practice these things and now we see it in the games."

Washington State Head Coach Tony Bennett
On the game:
"I thought the guys battled hard and fought longer, didn't unravel early in the game. We fought for the most part, took better care of the ball, stuck in there. A couple of times when some balls were on the floor, either we dove too late and they got kicked and bang they stuck the dagger with a three."

On California:
"They have a nice ball club, they really do. I was impressed with them on tape. Rock solid defensively, they have some play makers.

On Cal's inside play:
"Boykin is a lot better...some people say, `well their inside guys are more role players,' but they do what's necessary, he's good. He can play. Harper Kamp, he's real physical on the interior, you could see that battle going on. That's what high major basketball is all about."