Recap | Final Stats

Villanova Head Coach Harry Perretta

Opening Statement:

"In the first half, we got behind and had to keep battling back but we couldn't defend their inside game. We started matching their twos with threes on the second which brought us back in the game, but every time we would tie the game they would make a play, throw the ball inside, or get an offensive rebound. We made a three to tie and they made a great shot to win it. In the end, they out hustled and out played us."

On the size of the Penn offense:

"It's not only their size but also their skill level. Size is size, but skill level makes shots and they don't miss layups. They make shots and they get the ball in relatively good position."

When asked about four games in seven days:

"I think its effecting our players a lot. We're tired and the problem is that we aren't getting what we need from the bench and when you have to play six players it takes a toll on you. In the first half, we looked tired but that's not an excuse we have to show up to play."

On Mary Gedaka as the sixth player:

"She's scoring and driving that ball. We're using her as a mismatch player to try and drive by defenders, then kick it out to create offense. That's what she did and that's how we got threes."

Head Coach Mike McLaughlin

Opening Statement

"That was really, really cool. The way we played from the beginning, the way we came out, the way we finished, and an awesome atmosphere. It was just rewarding for our seniors to win a Big Five game against Villanova, against a great team and to get contributions from everyone. They made two really tough shots at the end to tie it up and we showed tremendous poise and Anna (Ross) knew what to do with five seconds remaining and she got to her comfort shot and she got rewarded. Eleah (Parker) played one of the best games that I have seen so far, she is one of the best post performers that I have seen in a long time. This was a team win, a great win and great for Penn so this was a really good night for us."

On what the win means for the program

"I think that it's cool now that we get to play for the Big Five title. We get to play Temple next week and I want our players just to focus on the week ahead. But for now I just want our players to embrace this moment, I think having a chance to win the Big Five is special and I think that's more for today and tomorrow and I want our team to walk out of here feeling that they did something special because it is truly a special moment. Winning the Big Five would be special for this group because of our four seniors would get to experience the incredible moment of winning such an important title."

Guard #10 Anna Ross

On the last play of the game

"Well they called a timeout. We couldn't change the play, but they changed their defense. So, I said I want the ball, just give me the ball, I am going to go to the basket. I had few rough shots in the beginning but as the game progressed confidence did as well which made me able to make the shot."

Center #31 Eleah Parker

On the importance of this win

"I knew how important Big Five games are and I knew the history of it for Penn. I also knew for the seniors especially that we had to come out and get this win."

On the team sharing and passing the ball around more in this game

"I think definitely from the beginning of the year to now our team chemistry grown from sharing the ball and finding open players, so I think that contributed to increasing the numbers in shots, assists and baskets scored. I think just knowing where we should be, knowing what shots we are looking really helped us succeed in those areas."

On if having four fouls in the fourth quarter changed her play

"I don't think so. I know in the beginning of the season I was struggling defensively, so I think after the fouls I focused on keeping my chest up and my feet up but I don't think it changed my aggressiveness at all."