Postgame Quotes vs. Stanford
Nov 23 (Sun)
2 PM
POSTGAME QUOTES - STANFORD, Jan. 12, 2025
SANIYA RIVERS, senior guard
On the bench’s performance:
It was definitely a rough start. Obviously, two of our starters were in foul trouble early, Zaza (Aziaha James) and Zoe (Brooks). We had big minutes off the bench, Laci Steele and Mallory (Collier) came in and contributed heavily. I played 40 minutes, so it was tiring as the point guard, but you have to do what you have to do to play those 40 minutes and contribute to those points so we could get the dub.
On slipping to point guard when Zoe Brooks got in foul trouble:
Definitely, I’m still a point guard in my mind. That’s the good thing about our team, we are so interchangeable and can dribble with the ball, help on the ball. I’m a point guard in my head because I can contribute in different ways and dish the ball so that doesn’t matter whether or not if Zoe is in or out.
On the third quarter:
Especially because Zoe and Zaza just came in and just forgot about those two fouls and just came in and flipped the script, that was beautiful basketball.
WES MOORE, head coach
On the win:
Again, especially the second quarter, our bench came in and really gave us a lift. Laci Steele and Mallory Collier were great. Then the third quarter, Zoe and Aziaha were in foul trouble and Zoe came out and really took over a little bit and carried us there. Obviously Saniya the whole game. She is really playing at a high level right now with 17 points and 11 boards. To be honest, it’s good to have our whole starting five in double figures. I think we have come along there. Mallory probably would have gotten double figures if I hadn’t been upset with the and-1 we gave up there late, but it’s a big win. You’d hate to come out here and lose two, plus it makes that five hour flight a lot nicer now.
About the sophomore reserves performance:
Like I said, Laci hit those two big threes and Mallory was 4-of-5 from the field. They gave us a big lift. Again, that’s what I keep stressing. Your number is going to get called, but you have to be ready and take advantage of it.
On the performances at the No. 5 spot:
You know me, I’m not through worrying, but those two are doing a good job tag teaming it. Hopefully the two will continue to get better the next month or two and will be playing their best basketball in March.
On the third quarter performance:
It was pretty nice. Transition, outrunning, getting stops on the other end and turning them over. We scored well off turnovers today and were able to get rebounds… When you get stops, you are able to run and when we run, that’s our best basketball.
On winning at Maples:
This is the first time we’ve played here since I’ve been (at NC State). You know last year beating them in the Sweet 16 was a little bit bigger, but to come out here on their home court and they were undefeated on their home court this year (9-0)… To come out here and get a win is big. It’s a tough road trip and the people that don’t have to come out here this year probably have to be thankful because, I’m not talking about the travel, but the two teams you are playing are talented and you have to be at your best.