Dec. 29, 2008
Recap |
Final Stats |
Photo Gallery 
Santa Clara Head Coach Kerry Keating
"I am really happy we were able to put together a game, especially to put together a win during such a special game. Kurt Rambis came in and talked to the team before they went out to warm up tonight and he was very adamant about what is important to win. We came out with a win against a very good Belmont team that is experienced and tournament tested and a very competitive team."
"At half it took me a while to figure out what to say to them, but pretty much the same thing. I don't like to change the message and just let repetition take hold. I told them that it doesn't matter what is going on just a matter of adjusting our attitude. Kurt said it was a talent to play hard and I know we have the talent it just has to be brought."
"I challenged them to a fight in the locker room. I challenged them to fight me and instead they took the opportunity to fight the other team. We weren't ready to fight tonight and we have to fight if we want to be a tournament team. I know how good Belmont is and we needed to fight to win."
Belmont Head Coach Rick Byrd
"I am extremely disappointed in my basketball team. In our decision-making and in our performance. I won't take a thing away from Santa Clara because they had heart and we didn't. We can't take anyone lightly we are talented enough and good enough to get those leads but we don't have the heart to finish the game. I thought we did a good job in the first half guarding John Bryant but Santa Clara made some mass adjustments at half time and the difference was their want in the second half. Great comeback by Santa Clara and they are getting better. Some great young freshmen players."
Santa Clara Center John Bryant
"Definitely a gut check for us. We were down 18 and it was a feat for us. Coach told us to take on each possession at a time and there is no 18 point shot."
"He never told the team to fight back. He told us what they were going to do and he got us fired up."
Santa Clara Guard Kevin Foster
"I didn't play well first half so I told myself to be aggressive. I just wasn't being aggressive in the first half and if I am not aggressive we won't have a flow and I needed to be aggressive on defense as well. I had to make sure I didn't give up any threes.