Villanova University

Nov. 23, 2009

Recap |  Box Score |  Notes |  AP Photo Gallery 

Villanova Head Coach Jay Wright...

"This was really good for us. On Wednesday night we learned that Mouph (Yarou) would have to go home and that started the tournament on kind of a downer for us. The two guys who aren't here (Yarou and Reggie Redding) are good players. So to see our young guys step up against quality teams like George Mason, Dayton and Ole Miss is really encouraging."

"We knew this would be a challenge for us tonight and I like the way our guys hung in there. We weren't pretty, especially in the first half, but I thought we did a good job defensively. I thought Corey Stokes really helped us there and Antonio Pena was great at both ends for us. Taylor King got us 11 rebounds too which was huge. We out-rebounded them 51-36 and they're a very good rebounding team."

On Pena being chosen tournament Most Outstanding Player: "I thought (Antonio) was a flat-out beast inside for us in this tournament. He's rebounded consistently for us in all five games and to get 16 tonight against a tough team like that really shows his maturity. I'm really happy for him."

On a 19-8 run that took VU from a two point deficit to a nine point lead early in the second half: "Chris Warren hit a couple of threes after halftime and they had the lead and Scottie Reynolds really got us going offensively. He drove into the lane, got to the line a few times and really sparked us."

Senior guard Scottie Reynolds...

"I was just trying to be aggressive early in the second half. I had some chances in the first half and really didn't take advantage of them so I wanted to continue to be aggressive and was able to get into the lane and create some opportunities."

Junior forward Antonio Pena...

"I know that Coach (Wright) has the confidence in me to be a leader. Being around Dante (Cunningham), Shane (Clark) and Dwayne (Anderson) these last few years really helps me. They were killing me in practice every day. They taught me how to be a fierce rebounder and that's my main goal."