Postgame Quotes/Notes - Storm 78, Washington 68
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TONIGHT'S NOTES | |||
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BRIAN AGLER:
On the game:
We had a really good first half. I’m really proud of how we played. We put five good consecutive halves together, and then obviously had a letdown in the second half. You can’t say that hasn’t happened before to teams, but it’s not anything you want to go through. But also Washington had a lot to do with that. They stayed aggressive and hungry, and really came out and rebounded the ball well and forced some turnovers. When you take a step back and get a little passive against that kind of play you can see the results.
On the Storm's three-point shooting in the first half:
We’ve got some good shooters on this team. It was just one of things we were knocking shots down, I guess. We weren’t doing anything different to get open. It was just one of those things where you get on a roll, like Washington did in the second half, use the momentum and then the adrenaline flows and you start playing.
On the Storm's defense:
I thought we did a pretty good job. From my standpoint we had some breakdowns. When we play them again in a week or so we’ll have to make some adjustments. I thought our defensive effort in the first half was excellent. And I thought that if we could have kept them off the free throw line we would have had a tremendous defensive game.
On the Storm:
We have a lot of improvement to make. I’m hoping (the Indiana game) wasn’t the highlight of the season. Let’s put it that way. We’re still trying to get better. There are a lot of areas we can get better in.
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SUE BIRD:
On the second half:
Washington didn’t stop playing. They didn’t give up. We got a little complacent, a little relaxed; I think that’s what I’d attribute that to. But we got the win so I think everyone is happy about that.
Everyone’s happy with the win, but we recognize the fact that we didn’t play a complete, 40-minute game. We want to focus on the good things we did and build on that. And use the things that weren’t so good in the second half and hopefully not repeat them.
On the importance of the win:
Any win right now is a big win. We’re closer to clinching a playoff berth; we’re also closer to clinching a high spot and home-court advantage. And we of course want to take care of the home court.
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On the game:
I was a little disappointed in the way our team came out. Seattle is a great team, especially at home. I think the threes really got them going – they were 7-for-10 early in the game and it’s hard to come back from that many points. I thought we competed in the second half and our subs played well, but overall I don’t think we did the things we needed to do to win.
On the difference for the Mystics:
We just have to get more consistent. Some days we play really well and some days not and I think (consistency) is the sign of a playoff team and a championship team. Seattle has been to the championship and they’ve been to the playoffs and we’re just trying to get back there. It’s the consistency and the mental toughness, knowing that every game is going to be a battle. These guys (Seattle) have played together and they're confident and they’re playing really well right now.
On whether she takes encouragement from the second half:
Definitely. I was pleased to see other people to see how they do coming in. I didn’t think our defensive effort was that great in the first half at all and that was really frustrating. We’ll go back home and regroup. We have six more games left and we’re still in a good spot to get in the playoffs. We have to have a great six games.
On Alana Beard's injury:
I think she rolled an ankle. I think she stepped on someone’s foot, but I really honestly don’t know right now. She’s been a little sore so I think a couple days off will help her and Lindsey (Harding) a lot. I don’t expect her to miss any time. I don’t mind her missing practice, but I don’t want her missing any games.
