March 17, 2002

Recap?|? Box Score?|? Notes

Villanova Head Coach Harry Perretta
On the game: "The game kind of got into the pace we wanted it to get in. We wanted it to be a low scoring game. We are very successful when we can hold our opponents under 60 points. We were able to defend the three point line. I said yesterday that we had to play them one on one at the post. So, we chose to guard the three point line because one thing we do pretty well is make three pointers. We figured if we could make threes and hold our opponents not to make threes, then we have a better chance of winning."

On Mimi Riley: "I thought Mimi did an excellent job. She had a slight mismatch in terms of size at the point guard position. What we did was have Mimi dribble over so we could isolate no help, and then she took the ball in the paint and was able to shoot over her defender's head. She made a couple of baskets and that helped open things up a little bit."

On the second half: "The pace of the game actually became slower in the second half. Once we got up by 15, the way that we hold the ball it's like being up by 20 or 25 and it takes a lot of possessions for the other team to catch up. As long as we don't turn the ball over, it's hard for our opponents to catch up. We made a couple of turnovers, but not enough to really hurt us."

On how they will handle this win: "I brought my kids here to enjoy the NCAA Tournament and they can't enjoy themselves when I start talking about the next game. These kids had to work very hard to win and they have to be given some leeway to enjoy themselves."

Senior Guard Mimi Riley
On Villanova's defense: "I don't know if it was the best defense we've played all year but it was definitely one of our best. As far as rebounding and not giving up second shots, we did a good job."

On the start of the game: "I don't think that either team was comfortable at the start because nobody was really making shots. But I think that everyone calmed down after a while and we got to play our game and that's when

Junior Guard/Forward Katie Davis
On limiting Pepperdine's offense: "We knew that we had to control the tempo to win the game. So we were trying to limit their offensive production as much as we could."

Pepperdine Press Conference Quotes

Pepperdine Head Coach Mark Trakh
On The Game: "I felt Villanova did an excellent job running their sets. They ran their offense and defense really well. They deserve all the credit for winning the game tonight. We played They really hard, but came up short. Hopefully this will be a lesson for our program and we will be a better team next year."

On Villanova: "I knew that Villanova would come out and play hard, the way they did tonight. They are a very disciplined team. They are more athletic than people think. They do a great job of playing basketball. I wish Villanova luck."

On Pepperdine's Program: "We need to take the next step to improve our program. That means winning in the NCAA tournament."

Senior, Forward, Nadja Morgan
On The Game: "We are used to being able to play down low, they took us out of our game plan by slowing down the game."

Senior, Forward, Sarah Richen
On Being Out Rebounded: "We watched film on them and it seemed like they didn't crash the boards. Tonight they surprised us with their rebounding. They dictated the tempo of the game and took us out of our game."