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16/15 BAYLOR 75 (7-1), NORTHWESTERN STATE 61 (1-7)
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015
Ferrell Center (Waco, Texas)
Attendance: 4,627

BAYLOR POSTGAME QUOTES

Head Coach Scott Drew
Opening statementà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"I thought Northwestern State had a great game plan, similar to what they did against Arizona. That game was a 10-point game for most of the second half, until the last six or seven minutes of the game and Arizona stretched it. So, we knew coming in that that's what they would do so we tried to get extended. That didn't work out, credit to them. Then in the second half, I think we were solid and did a much better job. Rico (Gathers) obviously had one of those special nights."

On Rico Gathers individually rebounding more than Northwestern State's teamà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"Rico Gathers, Gathers meaning he gathers all the rebounds. He gave us a good chance to rebound offensively and that's how we won the game."

On Northwestern State using most of the shot clock on each driveà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"Well, you've got two options: you do what you do, knowing that it'll be a closer game, or you try to adjust and see if you can take them out of it. We tried to do that and obviously that didn't work. It's tough, because we didn't have any practice time. After a game like Sunday, you're not going to have a lot of time to practice Monday, and any practice you do have will be light. So it doesn't really give you a chance to change a ton."

Sophomore Al Freeman
On the mindset coming into the gameà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"We were focused coming in. Obviously, we had a big win coming in the other day, but it's a long season and Coach Drew emphasized that we shouldn't focus too much on games behind us, but rather focus on the game in front of us. In this case that was Northwestern State and we had to prepare for them like we would anyone else. We knew that they'd be a tough team, because they grind it out each game - taking long possessions on offense and they crash the boards hard. So, we knew they'd be tough coming in, just like they had played against Arizona, Arkansas and Auburn. We were able to focus and create separation in the second half and win."

On being teammates with Rico Gathersà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"Honestly, I'll be on the court watching this guy go beast mode and I think to myself that I'm just glad I'm on his team. He's a freak athlete and there aren't many like him. Rico Gathers is one of a kind."

Senior Rico Gathers
On individually out rebounding the opposing teamà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"My sophomore year, they came up and dominated us on the boards. So, coach really made that an emphasis coming into the game. A rebounder like myself, I had to make sure that I got the job done. Honestly, I just did what I had to do for my team. They weren't hitting from the outside, and when that happens you have to get it back on the inside. And tonight they just called my number and I did a good job finishing around the basket and rebounding. That's what really kept us in the game against a tough team like them. Despite their record, they are one of the toughest teams in their conference. If they had their other point guard it would've been another Vandy type game, because they're a very talented team."

NORTHWESTERN STATE POSTGAME QUOTES

Head Coach Mike McConathy
On his team's effortà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"I was really proud of my kids. Baylor has an excellent team and a lot of talent. They're big and strong and I felt like we competed. Of course, we didn't do a good job on the boards, but I felt like we stayed in the game and did some of the things that we needed to do to be able to stay within the game. I was really pleased with them for following our game plan of what we needed to do. We have to continue to grow. One of my players came to me after the game and said, 'Coach, we got better.' When players realize that you've gotten better, because you tried to play within the system then you have a chance."

On Rico Gathers' performanceà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"I just think he plays within himself really well. A lot of times players try to get outside who they are, and he's just very good at what he does. He makes free throws, uses his body and strength, and his God given ability to anticipate where the ball is coming off and he does a wonderful job."

On team's shot selectionà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"I felt like we were getting some good shots. I think if you go the course of the game we took four bad shots in the first half and felt like in the second half we maybe took two. Zeek (Woodley) has the green light, but he has the green light within what we are trying to do. The one thing that sets Zeek apart from guys that are great scorers is that he takes good shots and doesn't force bad shots. I felt like we needed to stay within the plan we had and I thought we did a very good job with that.

Junior Zeek Woodley
On his team's effortà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"I think we played really well. I think we got better. We just need to focus on rebounding more."

On Rico Gathersà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"I've known Rico for a long time. We played together and he was the same size as he is now, and a beast like he is now. It's tough."