March 19, 2002

Recap |  Box Score |  Notes

POST GAME QUOTES

Villanova Head Coach Harry Perretta
On The Game:
"Part of the things we tried to accomplish we did and part we didn't. I wanted to hold Oklahoma under 50 shots, but we weren't able to do that. I wanted to make 10 three pointers and we made eight. I was really happy our kids didn't fall apart when we were down 20 in the second half. We made the little run and it just wasn't enough. Oklahoma is a very talented team."

On OU's Run in the Second Half:
"I felt like the beginning of the second half was crucial. We're not the type of team that can come back from 20 points down. When we get down that much, we have to make a lot of three pointers to make that up."

On Oklahoma:
"I think they may be the second best team we've played this year next to Connecticut. Oklahoma is extremely mobile and can score quickly."

On Oklahoma's Sooners:
"When you're a senior you don't panic as much. Experience helps, it helped us get here. There's no substitute for seniors."

Senior Guard Mimi Riley
On Oklahoma:
"Everyone on Oklahoma's team can score. That makes them very difficult to defend. They are as physical as any team we've played this year. Oklahoma and Connecticut are the toughest teams we've played."

On Career at Villanova:
"I have had a great time at Villanova. I will miss my teamates and Coach Perretta very much."

Junior Guard Trish Juhline
On The Game:
"We wanted to slow the game down. We knew we had to match shot for shot with Oklahoma and we couldn't."

On Oklaoma:
"Oklahoma is a very strong team. We played well and so did they."

On Oklahoma's crowd:
"We played a few games with a large crowd this year. That helped prepare us for tonight so we weren't intimidated."

Oklahoma Head Coach Sherri Coale
On Villanova's playing style:
"Kansas State would be the only team that's in a league with Villanova (as far as three-point shooting goes). This Villanova team is very, very good at what they do. They made us earn every single second of that game. They're smart, they set good screens, they play hard and they're relentless. In the first half they hit some really tough shots. They hit some jumpers off the dribble flying sideways and made some big plays in the lane. That's what happens in March, and we're just fortunate that our numbers at halftime were really, really good."

On OU's play:
"I feel really good about the way we played. I think it was great to be tested by such an intelligent team. I think that's going to pay off huge dividends down the stretch."

On LaNeishea Caufield:
"I knew when LaNeishea hit that opening three pointer it was going to be a big night for her. She really attacked from every place on the court. She hit three pointers, she hit 12 and 15 foot jumpers and she posted up and went around, through and under people."

On seniors:
"I didn't want this day to come, what a special group of kids. It makes it easier to swallow when you know your still playing and going to the Sweet 16. What I am most proud of is how these six seniors have represented this university. They are so much more than what goes on between the lines out there."

Senior Guard Stacey Dales
On Villanova's three-point shooting:
"We knew that they were a three-point shooting team and we had to figure out a way to contain them. And once we did that, we were fine."

On being challenged by Villanova's shooting:
"When you're the team that is expected to win, you know teams are going to come in and challenge you and possibly have a career night in the NCAA tournament. We've been prepared for teams to come in and shoot 70 percent in the first half. We've prepared ourselves for that because it is going to happen."

On the crowd:
"I couldn't have asked for a better finish to my career at Oklahoma. Our fans were the best I've ever seen since I've been playing here. This was the loudest I've ever heard them."

Junior Forward Caton Hill
On Villanova:
"Villanova has some really smart players. They were really making us work. It was a perfect situation because we got to work on defense against the type of team that we don't normally defend."

On Texas Tech:
"Texas Tech is a good all-around team. We've played them twice already so they know how we play and vice versa so it's just going to come down to who can read things and execute."

Senior Guard LaNeishea Caufield
On getting in the flow of the game offensively:
"I think it had a lot to do with my teammates getting me the ball. They told me to go to work and I did. It was more of a team effort than anything."

On OU's team chemistry:
"Our team is just clicking so well together right now. It's amazing that everyone is finally starting to hit on all cylinders."