Postgame Quotes/Notes - Storm 62, Charlotte 60
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TONIGHT'S NOTES | ||
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ANNE DONOVAN:
On the game:
We played terrible in the first half. We weren’t pushing the ball effectively like we normally do. That caused us to shoot the ball really bad. In the second half, we were able to get a lot more layups. That caused us to catch up and get back in the game.
On adjusting without 
Sue Bird:
We have adjusted remarkably well, to be honest. We played great against Detroit, then we had a meltdown in D.C. We basically did what we had to do to win this game tonight. It wasn’t a great performance, but we needed this win.
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LAUREN JACKSON:
On the game:
In the beginning, we played terrible. Our offense wasn’t working and we weren’t helping each other score. Going out in the second half, we just wanted to play better as a team.
On her play:
I just didn’t want to lose. We just had to win this game. I’m glad this road trip is over and I’m certainly ready to go home.
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BETTY LENNOX:
On the game:
To me personally, we have to start off better as a team. That was a rough first half.
On her added responsibility in Bird's absence:
I can’t do what Sue can do in terms of (being) a point guard. But I can provide great support to the other guards that we have while Sue is out. I feel that is a big part of my responsibility.
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TRUDI LACEY:
On the game:
Every possession in that game counted. We had a couple opportunities where we could have extended the lead. We made some not-so-good decisions down the stretch. It was a very close game. Seattle was very smart. Everybody knew that they were going to Lauren Jackson late and we did our best to defend her, but she’s a great player. It was a well-played game. Seattle just made better decisions down the stretch.
On the Sting's effort:
I thought we played hard. Our nemesis at the moment seems to be that we just can seem to put the ball in the hole. We’re getting the shots that we want but, for whatever reason, we didn’t knock them down
On Sheri Sam's performance off the bench:
Sheri came in and gave us all a lift; she hit the basket to tie us up and really played a solid game tonight.
On Jackson:
They were playing a high-low game and just throwing it up there. Lauren’s going to get it. We were sending help and everything else we can do, but she’s a great player. We still held her to 17 points, and for playing against the best player in the world that’s not too bad.
On Janel McCarville's return from the injured list:
I think that definitely gave us a boost. She needs to get out there and get some game experience. She’s been out for about two and a half weeks now, and considering that she played well. I’m excited to have her back.
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On what has to change for the Sting:
We just have to make some shots. We can’t continue to shoot 30 percent from the field. We’ve got to make shots, we’ve got to rebound the basketball, we’ve got to play 40 minutes. If we put together a 40-minute game, I think we’ll be all right. We played hard. That’s not the problem. We just have to do it for 40 minutes.
On playing her old team:
It’s good to compete against them. I won a championship with them, you see all the old faces and that’s a good feeling. But once we’re on the court, we just wanted to win the basketball game and all that stuff is put aside.
On losing close games:
It’s still a loss. It has the same effect whether you lose by 30 points or one point. We’ve just got to keep going at it and keep playing hard. We’re right there. It’s just making shots. Once we start making shots in 40 minutes of consistent basketball, we’ll get that win.
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TANGELA SMITH:
On Jackson:
I knew she was a great player going into the game and very physical. I had to do what I could to limit her touches. But it wasn’t all about me. I had to get help from my teammates because she’s a great player.
On the game:
We didn’t play for the full game. We had a lead, and we gave it up. We have to have that killer instinct. When have a lead we have to fight. We let them control the tempo at the end of the game, and we needed to control the tempo.
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On her return to the lineup:
It felt really good being able to get back out there with my teammates. I think I was really excited for it and we came out strong and held our ground for a while, but it came down to the last shot.
On Jackson:
They’re tough. Lauren Jackson is a big reason why they are where they are. It’s just night in, night out, you’ve got to go against players like that. You can’t let her abuse us like she did, but we put forth a pretty good effort. She’s a premier post player. (She can) step outside, play inside. (She uses) finesse and strength when she needs to.
