Jan. 11, 2009
University of San Diego Head Coach Bill Grier
Opening statement: "It was not a pretty game. We've had 3 in a row against Santa Clara where it has been a struggle. We struggled on defense in the first half and that made it very difficult for us. I'm proud of our group and that we were able to fight through this thing. Rob Jones and Gyno Pomare did a nice job offensively in the second half for us."
How USD changed its game in the second half: "In the second half we were able to get back in the flow, we had a few turnovers that created some easy baskets for us. SCU is a very, very good defensive team, but we were able to get into our rhythm in the second half."
On guarding John Bryant: "We knew that you're not going to be able to shut John Bryant down. After the game I went up to him and told him how very impressed I was with his game and what he's done. It's great for him. Gyno Pomare and John Bryant are two heavyweights in the WCC."
Santa Clara Head Coach Keating
"I'm always disappointed when we lose but tonight I am extremely disappointed because we handed them a game in our own gym. There was no energy in the gym, and these guys need to know how to handle that. We won't win games if we don't play hard every play, every possession the entire game. I am not going to pull any punches with them, but this team has to have a better effort than the one we had today. I will take responsibility for it.
"This is the most disappointed I have ever been coaching here. I don't want to take away from San Diego's win because they are a good team and they played well, especially in the second half."
"The walk- through we had before the game was awful. That will never happen again under my watch. We are going to learn our lesson. And we had better be ready the next time we play."
Santa Clara Center John Bryant:
On his level of disappointment: "This game ranks at the very top of my frustration. We didn't go out and play hard. We came out flat at the start of the game and struggled to find the effort to play as hard as we needed."
On turnovers: "No matter how hard you play you are never going to win a game with 20 turnovers. There are no excuses. We have to step up and play hard."
Santa Clara Forward Marc Trasolini:
On losing close games: "It's really frustrating to keep losing these close games. We've been struggling to find the effort we need to win these games."
