No. 15 Panthers Down Valprariso, 77-52
12/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 8, 2009
Recap | Box Score | Notes
POST-GAME QUOTES
No. 15 Pitt 77, Valparaiso 52
December 8, 2009, Petersen Events Center
Pitt Head Coach Agnus Berenato Opening Statement:
“I was really pleased in the first half with our communication and our teamwork tonight. I thought we did a really good job with helping and recovering with each other. I want to congratulate Chelsea Cole on her career-high rebounding and I think that’s just the beginning for her. Chelsea is just coming into her own and is becoming an explosive athlete. She’s capable of 15 rebounds and more. For Taneisha Harrison and her career-high shooting, she was on fire. It was one of those nights where she was in the zone. At the beginning of the game we were too excited, mainly because we knew Coach Caroline McCombs was the associate head coach for Valparaiso University. Coach McCombs scouted for this game extensively and we wanted it so much for her. Unfortunately, we came out so excited that we were repeatedly rebounding the ball and shooting it off the backboard. The effort was there so I was pleased for the most part.”
On what led to shutting Valparaiso down and getting back on track...
“This had a lot to do with our shooting percentage; we were in the 20’s at that point and we are a 40-50 percent shooting team. It took the whole second half for us to get back up to normal range. We worked really hard for our rebounds and new sets for shots. What helped us get back on track was our defense which in turn sparked our offense. Our defensive press caused them problems with traveling and steals, causing some quick scores for us. Once this happened we could take a deep breath and reset.”
On Jania Sims back at Point Guard...
“Jania Sims is definitely our coach on the court, and you can’t have a successful program without a coach on the court. It’s fine to have four coaches on the bench but we can’t set the tempo of the game from the bench. Jania sets the tempo of the game with her good decisions. The more she plays the more she is going to gain experience with this team. She has been out for a year and a half and is still getting back on track by playing all the time. It means everything to us.
On Taneisha Harrison’s overall stats...
“Not only did Taneisha Harrison have a career shooting night but her overall stats were phenomenal as well. I think much of this was a result of her defense.”
Taneisha Harrison
On her career high scoring game...
“I was focused since the jump ball. I missed a couple shots in the beginning but I know my team had confidence in me to keep taking open shots.”
Chelsea Cole
On big rebound night...
“We’ve been working on boxing out and rebounding in practice because we know this is something we’ve been lacking in our game. These additions to the defense really helped us get going in the first half.”
