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RV/RV BAYLOR 66 (9-1), NR/NR NEW MEXICO STATE 55 (4-7)
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014
Ferrell Center (Waco, Texas)
Attendance: 4,787

BAYLOR POSTGAME QUOTES

Baylor Head Coach Scott Drew
Opening Statement:
"A lot of good things tonight, only nine turnovers against a team that really does a great job of creating turnovers and transition buckets. We had a 15 to four edge on the offensive glass; they were 12th in the nation coming in on offensive rebounding percentage, we were fifth, so we did a very good job of taking care of the ball and rebounding part of it. Obviously 19 turnovers, we did a good job defensively. Got to work on the free throw shooting, got to work on making lay-ups, but a lot of positives. For the basketball purists and those who know basketball, this was a very good team -- three straight NCAA tournaments. They're going to be in the NCAA tournament this year, I believe, and they're a tough team to play, and they've played in some really tough places, so we knew they wouldn't be in awe or anything after playing in the venues that they've already played in."

On trouble with offensive rhythm:
"I think you've got to give them some credit with their size, length and athleticism. We need to continue to get better at finishing, especially in the paint over length. It's one thing that you really take for granted when you've had it for years, seven-footers in practice, because you get used to scoring over seven-footers, but we don't have as much length as we've had in the past, so we don't get as many reps as we'd like against that."

On New Mexico State really trying to get to the free throw line:
"I think we really did a great job of not fouling in the first half, and making a conscious effort to beat them to spots, and not allowing them to do that. The past three years, they've been fourth, fourth and first in the nation at getting to the free throw line, and they're a very good free throw shooting team, especially their starters -- they shoot a high percentage, so that was a conscious effort and I think we did a good job."

On Rico Gathers having seven steals:
"A lot of positives, and again some things we could work on. In regard to the scouting report, we left some of their shooters open, and we didn't take away moves from some of their post players, but this experience is something for us to try and work on getting better at."

On the shooting being off:
"Well the three-point shooting was good in the second half. I just think if you look at us statistically, the first shot we're okay, but the second and third shots we tend to get better -- that's us."

On Kenny Chery getting back to normal:
"The seven assists to only two turnovers were huge. Shooting-wise, he made his first two, but seven attempts is not a lot of attempts. He's getting used to the free throw line, he's an 80 percent free throw shooter, so getting him more experience at the free throw line is a big thing. If you look at the stats, that's one thing we don't do very well, and we spend a lot of time doing it. So we keep mixing and matching to come up with ideas to improve that because you have to be able to do that. (Jokingly) Maybe we shouldn't shoot free throws? It would save us a lot of practice time. We can't do worse. Free throws get in your head. Thank goodness for [Johnathan] Motley and Deng Deng for saving our free throw percentage this game."

Junior F Rico Gathers
On the effect that finals had on shooting percentage:
"It was a defensive game, I've got to say. You'll have games where you don't shoot very well. [Taurean Prince] wasn't hitting shots tonight like he had been this whole year. A lot of shots weren't falling, but like we say, the beat goes on, we still got the `W' -- that's the most important thing. I think the biggest thing was the eight days off that we had, because of finals and stuff, just getting back in our routine. The whole week we had been rusty in practice, but like I said, the most important thing was getting the `W'."

On his seven steals in the game:
"It was pretty obvious where they were going to pass it to, so I just read their eyes, and when he went to let it go, I just reacted, trying to be precise on the gamble. That's basically what I was doing, a lot of gambling. We call that false hustle, but I'm just glad I was able to make plays though."

On what's been the difference with the way the team has played defense this year:
"Communication. Being able to communicate where the shooters are, being able to communicate where the cutters are going, being able to do that stuff. Communication is a key on defense, so we just try to communicate as well as possible, that's one of our main focuses in practice too."

Redshirt Freshman G Al Freeman
On hitting a key shot in transition:
"I think transition is a big part of our game, and that's one thing that we love to do, get out and run, get a lay-up, get threes up. You have an advantage, so the more you can get in transition, the easier you can make the game for yourself. You don't have to stop at half court and give them a chance to guard you five-on-five, and it's easier to score."

On getting more in the flow coming off the bench to provide scoring:
"I think the more game experience you can get, the better you can get. I feel like I got off to a slow start at the beginning of the season, so I just want to have a better impact on the team. So I feel like now I'm getting more comfortable being able to pick my spots better. I feel like that comes with game experience, and the more you have the better you can get."

NEW MEXICO STATE POSTGAME QUOTES

New Mexico State Head Coach Marvin Menzies
Opening Statement:
"Baylor has a really nice facility with a great coaching staff and some talented players. I think it's always good when you get a chance to go up against some upper-tier talent from a high-major conference and give your guys a taste of what that level is like. We want to eventually get to this level, so if you don't have any frame of reference, then it's hard to get there. This was good for us."

On Baylor as a team:
"I really like Baylor's team. I think they have a chance to be very good because of their versatility, their length, and their style of play. Obviously, you see Scott [Drew] does a great job with them. I think they are a team to be reckoned with, especially when Kenny [Chery] is shooting it the way he did to start the game. They have the balance to be very good. Their versatility and length allows them to do so many different things defensively, which you can't do with prototypical guys. They're going to be good. We're going to watch them win a lot of games."