Nov. 12, 2011

Recap |  Final Stats

Memphis Head Coach Brooks Monaghan
Opening Remarks
"It feels great to get the monkey off of our back. Obviously, with the season we have had we expected to win. We expect to win every game. We were up 3-0 at the half, but we're very pleased with the passion we were playing with. We let them really give us a game in the first half.

"If it wouldn't have been for Christabel Oduro, we probably would have been tied at the half. So, we really challenged our kids to come out in the second half and play with passion. They did and I was obviously pleased with the result.

On starting relatively slow:
"I am a firm believer that you get what you deserve. We have been fairly consistent with practice, and this week we were off Wednesday. I think it showed a little bit in the first half, and we talked about that after the game.

Memphis Student-Athlete Christabel Oduro
Opening Remarks
"My teammates did a great job holding it in the back for me. They made it easy. They stopped their attack (UT Martin) and played perfect balls. I really just had to run and take a touch or two to place it. I just tried my best and they happened to find me.

On playing loose:
'We played a little loose, maybe a little too much for our liking. Tonight wasn't the best game that we played, but if we can play relaxed and focused at the same time, it should be instrumental in what we do.

What can you all improve upon the most before the next game?
We can just put together a full 90 (minutes). We haven't put together a full game in the 23 games we have played. Right now, it is now or never. If we don't come out and fire on all cylinders one game, than it could be over for us.

UT Martin Head Coach Phil McNamara
Thoughts coming into the game:
"Well, I mean it was always going to be an uphill battle coming here, a top five team in the country, but we decided coming here that we had absolutely nothing to lose. Memphis had beaten everyone on their schedule this year so we were going to come in and we were going to have a go and we were going to play. And that's what we did and unfortunately we made a bad mistake early and Memphis put our backs against the wall. Credit to Memphis, they showed their class numerous times. One player in particular, I think she scored 4, we had a hard time handling her tonight, but I'm really proud of my players. We gave Memphis something to think about. Even though they were 3-0 up at halftime I wouldn't say their coach was extremely happy with how things had gone the first half. And that's what we were doing. We were looking to come in here and disrupt Memphis and give them something to think about. I think we did that even though it ended up 7-nil in the end, which is a disappointing result, but give my kids all the credit. They worked their socks off, they enjoyed being in the national tournament for the first time in the history of the program."

First NCAA Tourney Appearance:
"Absolutely thrilled...thrilled for the program, thrilled for the recruiting aspect of it. We accomplished goals earlier than what we ever anticipated. We're pleased from that regard. We're excited with the year we had. We're a very young team and I'm delighted that we sent our five seniors out with a championship and a ring on their finger. That's what we need to continue to do is compete and try to make it in the first round and see if we can't get a better draw than the top five team in the country. We knew coming in Memphis can beat a lot of teams by a big score. We wanted to make them work for it and I think we did. In the end they showed the level of class that they've got. They can go deep in the tournament. They're a superb team."

On using this experience as a stepping stone:
"Exactly. Memphis lost their first round game last year so that puts it all in perspective. We have work to do. We're still looking to improve many aspects of the program, but we have done tremendous things in a short period of time at UT-Martin. We have a great little program and we are very proud of the direction we're headed and we're excited about the future."

UT Martin Student-Athlete: Brooke Robertson
Thoughts on the Game:
"It was probably the best experience that I've been able to be a part of, especially being my senior year. But they're so good. Memphis' #10 is so good. But even though we lost 7-0 it's still the best experience I've been able to be a part of.

On being a Senior and bringing team to first NCAA tourney:
"It was easy. We had a pretty hard season, but we pulled it together and the tournament was definitely the most emotional and physical, but we pulled together as a team and got to the NCAA. We'll probably remember for the rest of our lives.

On the team:
"They're going to get better and better. I can definitely see them going to the NCAA. Our freshman class this year was really good and they helped us get the win.