California vs. Nebraska

Dec. 12, 2015 | Haas Pavilion | Berkeley, Calif.

 

Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb

On the game:

“I'm really proud of our team. I thought there were gutty stops, big plays and in an overtime game against an amazing team like Nebraska, we needed every ounce of everything we had to win this game. I have said it over and over that we have a young group, and I'm so excited to be on the ride with them. They frustrate me sometimes, but the growth that we see in the locker room and practice is the most important thing to me. Even if that's not smooth all the time, I'll take it. The veterans stepped up and just created a mentality that we weren't going to lose the game, and that creates a mentality for the younger players to make plays. It's a great win for us. Nebraska is really good and (Rachel) Theriot is about as great of an orchestrator as you're going to find, and we knew Natalie (Romeo) was going to come into here looking to knock down shots. Great college basketball game that we were fortunate to win and we are excited to keep working with this team that I love.”

On defensive goals:

“First of all, she's (Jessica Shepard) a terrific player. I've had experience with her at USA basketball and she's always watching film, and she's had a great start to her career. One thing about Kristine and our team that I like is that they all like challenges, so I did some personal challenging saying 'Hey, we need to make her night tough.' She wasn't our only focal point, but we didn't want her to get any easy looks because she's so good finishing at the basket when she gets good looks. The team took the challenge of not letting her get anything easy and our team did a great job of making her work on both ends of the floor.”

On nonconference scheduling:

“We wanted to help them get Darrien (Washington) and Natalie (Romeo) home, and it'll be a good game for us to go out there (Nebraska) next year. I'm always thinking about scheduling nonconference based on the experience the girls will get. We wanted them at home first, but I think going out there (Nebraska) to a huge crowd next year will be a great experience for us. Our crowd did amazing things for us tonight when we needed one stop at the end. It was so loud and the fans were really there for us.”

Freshman Forward Kristine Anigwe

On the defense's performance:

"Our main focus point was Jessica (Shepard) not getting easy touches and I think we did that. With the way our defense is set, everyone has to play a huge part and if you don't do your part, then it's evident.”

On the team's performance:

"I have a lot of confidence in my team getting the ball where it needs to be. I feel like everyone's energy on our team brings and helps me elevate my game and just contribute better."

On the overtime win:

"I was just focused on everything but the cramps, just as Coach Charmin (Smith) was telling me 'You have to make these free throws,' and 'You have to make a big play,' and I knew I could do it. I don't like losing so focusing on that Saint Mary's game and the last play from the defensive end, I knew we couldn't lose and that was my motto."

Sophomore Forward Mikayla Cowling

On Haas' atmosphere:

"I was getting chills, it was so intense and an amazing atmosphere. I was loving it."

On her game-winning shot:

"I think one thing that we do really well is that we know who is hot and who is able to hit the open shots. We just trust each other and it just happened to fall today."