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Women’s Basketball Postgame Notes & Quotes
No. 19/20 Virginia 80, East Carolina 67
Dec. 6, 2008
John Paul Jones Arena
Postgame Notes
In the first meeting since 1982, Virginia matched the all-time series with East Carolina at 2-2.
Attendance was 2,781.
The Cavaliers are 5-0 this season when leading at half.
Monica Wright finished with a team-high 23 points, marking her fourth consecutive game with 20+ points. It also was her sixth game of the season scoring 20+ points.
Wright’s 13 rebounds against the Pirates were a career high. She previously pulled down 11 boards three times in her career.
Ariana Moorer matched her personal-best with 19 points off an 8-for-14 performance from the field. She previously recorded 19 points in the season-opener against High Point.
Virginia Head Coach Debbie Ryan
Opening Statement:
“I thought in the beginning we were in the flow offensively but I did not feel like we were very good defensively. I did not think we prepared well for this game, primarily because we got back late from Illinois Thursday night and I feel like we were not ready mentally. Before the game I talked about how we needed to string together good performances and this is what we are still working on. We can’t just go up and down all the time. It was not until we went to the zone that we were able to play well defensively and make a move. We got some separation before the half and then we just tried to maintain that separation. I was playing a lot of players today because whenever you are fatigued like we were, you need to play a lot of players.”
On the game:
“I never felt secure today. I never felt that game was over. East Carolina has some very good players and we were able to counter that with Monica Wright and Aisha Mohammed. Ariana Moorer had a very good game as well. It helped having three good scorers in the game.”
On returning home to JPJ:
“It was great to come back home but it was very foreign to me. Sometimes when you’re on the road that long, coming home is a change in routine with all the distractions. There are a lot of distractions at home, especially in this time of the year.”
On turnaround from the Illinois game:
“I did not think we prepared very well for this game but at the same time I challenged the players both physically and mentally to step out and work hard. I felt we worked hard but not very efficiently today. We did not string out enough possessions defensively to make a difference in the game.”
Virginia Player Quotes
Freshman Guard Ariana Moorer
On adjusting to collegiate ball:
“I’m still getting used to the pace and how they want me to play. I’m trying every day just to get better, play hard and practice hard. I’m getting there, just one day at a time.”
On playing at home after being on the road:
“Everybody was so glad to be home. Even I was glad to be home. Being on this court is so comfortable now.”
Freshman Guard Whitny Edwards
On Virginia’s performance:
“It wasn’t our best effort tonight. We were just glad to get the win and everything. We could have played better. We have a lot of work to do over the break and we’ll come back strong in the second half of the season.”
On the short turn around:
“It’s tough. It’s just tough one day turning around and having another game. We’re getting through it and as we continue we’ll get better at it.”