March 4, 2005

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WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIERSITY QUOTES
General Comments Concerning the Game

Philip Stitt
Obviously this was not prettiest basketball game watch especially from a fans perspective. And we know we are going o have to play harder tomorrow against Virginia Union but part of tournament play is getting over the hump and getting over foul trouble, get over whatever adversities there is during the game, and advance to move on. And I think that is basically what we accomplished tonight.

Q: Coach they came out of the box pretty hot tonight. What did you say to your team?

A: You need to guard them so they can't have open shots. We were had some jitters ourselves and we didn't look good on the offensive end. We know they are a pretty good shooting team. You got to get out on the shooter and hopefully make them put the ball on the floor instead of just catching and shooting. We've been like that all year with people jumping out on us. Basically they got out 10 - 2 and then in the last eighteen minutes they scored 12 points. So I think we did get after them on defense a little bit. Our offense was slacking and getting way behind.

Q: Were you impressed with defense even if you were lacking a little bit on offense?

A: Oh definitely, that's what kept us in the game and allowed us to win the game. The key is limiting offensive rebounds which they only had six. And of course when you shoot three-pointers, they attempted 21 three-pointer, there are going to be long, long rebounds and for them only to get six offensive boards is a testament to these guys. If you follow us all year, you'll see that we don't out rebound too many people. Tonight 38 - 26 was a huge difference to us.

Q: Do you feel good about the way the guys went to the board on the offensive end?

A: Yes I think Darnell really got us going in the second half. He was going hard to the basket and getting some offensive boards. Then we started getting those tip balls and things like that. That's a sign of when a team is working hard when you get those loose balls and those long rebounds. Anytime you can get an extra possession and an extra shot, it's only going to help you.

LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE QUOTES
JAMES STINSON

First of all, I just want to give honor to the Heavenly Father for giving us strength. We seen a much better team in Winston-Salem State today and credit goes out to Coach John for the way his team was able to come in and execute, take care of the basketball and create turnovers. I think the by-product of us not being able to attack and run our system was our downfall. It was a learning experience for my first year and it was a learning experience for these guys. I'm indebted to our seniors that were with me this year. We will continue on building. Livingstone will return with much more enthusiasm and I am glad to have had one of the better seasons that Livingstone was able to have.

Q: Coach you said it would take discipline to beat this team, it didn't seem like discipline occurred offensively.
A: It definitely did I thought that it would allow us to create and set a little high post and we just could not make shots. Winston had a good game, they were the reason why we could not make the shots. They played aggressive. Or lack of ability to hit shots and lack of ability to execute offensive sets

Q: What did you learn about the CIAA.
A: I learned that you have to bring you're a game every night you have to be able to execute in both forms and be disciplined in the half court game. I was what I expected, but if we could have brought some discipline and execution that if we can work hard we can make an impact.

Q: Do you think that having the tough game last night that maybe that was the reason why your team looked a little flat, that you didn't have enough energy to keep up?
A: Yes we usually come out second half and we usually get a big lift. We were sought of fatigued at the end of the Shaw game. We usually rotate a little differently and use more people as far as our benches. I know we used a lot of them tonight and we usually rotate differently and try to get more opportunities for our kids. The numbers didn't help tonight. Turnovers were not well. We just didn't knock down shots.