Oklahoma State University Athletics
Postgame Quotes vs. Pepperdine
December 03, 2006 | Cowboy Basketball
OSU Basketball vs. Pepperdine
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Sean Sutton
On the game
“I’m happy we won. I thought it was a really interesting game the way it played out. There were two different halfs. The first half, I thought we played really good defense for the first 17 minutes. It was 32-12 at that point, then they scored seven points towards the end of the half. In the second half, we just had a hard time stopping them.
“I didn’t think our defense was very good at all. We gave up 62 points in a 23-minutes span. But offensively, I thought we played pretty well. We had 25 assists, we shared the basketball, we attacked the press and finished shots at the basket. When they got it down to five points, I thought we showed some grit and toughness to extend the lead back to double digits. It was a good offensive performance, but not very good on defense.”
On Pepperdine
“They are a team that is very unorthodox on offense. You don’t see many people that play like them. They put four guards out there and they like to drive the ball, try to get you to help and then kick out for three-point shots. I told our guys at halftime that they are a team that plays better in the second half. I think they average 10 or 11 more points in the second half than they do in the first half.”
On senior Mario Boggan
“I thought he played his most complete game of the season. He didn’t play particularly well the last few games out, but today was his best game of the year. He had 24 points and 13 rebounds and he really dominated in the paint. He rebounded as well as he has all year.”
On junior JamesOn Curry
“He is just a lot more confident. I thought last year, with a lot of pressure on him, he got off to a rough start and never found his groove. This year just shows how hard he worked this summer. He feels good about himself. I thought that in the first half, (Pepperdine) did a great job on him. He didn’t get many good looks and he forced up a few shots. In the second half, I thought he let the game come to him. When he had opportunities to make plays, he stepped up and made them.”
Senior Forward Mario Boggan
On Oklahoma State’s performance leading into its game against Syracuse
“It is all mental. We have to stay focused and not have any letdowns. Other than committing a few turnovers here and there, I feel that we play hard. We have been getting better game-by-game. Playing a team like (Syracuse), you have to stay focused. We have to execute and do what we need to do. We are looking forward to playing a big game.”
On the game against Pepperdine
“We came out in the first half with a lot of energy and confidence. In the second half we did not play as well. They hit some big shots inside and out.”
On his performance
“I just come out and play hard. That is my job. I try to stay strong down low, so I can get my teammates assists and rebound the ball. I also enjoy getting my assists when I can kick it out to them. I like having fun and playing with these guys.
Freshman Guard Obi Muonelo
On Pepperdine coming out after halftime and getting back into the game
“Our coaches have told us that they have come out in the second half and shot better. We were ready for them to play better in the second half, but I did not expect them to come out shoot the way they did. It was crazy because in the first half they hit only one three-pointer compared to the seven in the second half. They were not just hitting three’s, but they were also hitting some tough shots.”
On the postgame mood in the lockerroom
“The mood was good in the lockerroom after the game. Coach (Sean) Sutton was excited about the victory. He told us that we need to work on our defense and pressure the ball up top so that the guards wont dribble around us. Besides that, we are excited about preparing now for (Syracuse).”
On scoring in double figures in each game this season
“I have just wanted to come in during the games and help the team out as much as I can. When I practice against my teammates everyday, it makes me better. It is not a surprise to me. I do not really look for the points, but they just come in the flow of the game. When you can pass to your teammates who are able to score, getting assists are just as valuable.”
