Baylor, Oklahoma Postgame Quotes
1/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Recap | Box Score | Notes | USATSI Gallery 
Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016
Ferrell Center (Waco, Texas)
Attendance: 7,434
BAYLOR POSTGAME QUOTES
Baylor Head Coach Kim Mulkey
On if Niya Johnson really matters that much to this teamà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"She almost had a triple-double today and she hasn't practiced in eight days. So, yes, I would say so. It's hard to explain the value of a point guard who only averages six points a game. It's what she does when the game's on the line. It's one transition stop, it's one transition run, one long rebound, and not to mention she puts her teammates in position to score easily. So, yes, she is that valuable to us."
On getting the first conference win out of the wayà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"It's certainly big. You need to try to protect your home court and try to steal some victories on the road. If you're watching the games that we play, people are packing the paint. So, our kids have to hit some open shots. We shot five-for-14 on threes, which is pretty good. We can shoot the three. I am not a coach who lives in dies by it, but we can shoot the ball. I think you win the game with good balance. When we hit our shots, then we can open up our post play and execute our offense more efficiently."
On the Big 12 being a dogfightà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"People think there are two or three teams at the top, but that's really not true. You saw at Oklahoma State that we only scored 45 points. We only scored two points in one quarter. So, it tells you the good coaching that has to take place. Sometimes you have to just win ugly. If we can get an ugly win on the road and hang in there and get kids healthy, then it's about the end of the year. We are fighting for a Big 12 championship, but I am really fighting more for healthy kids for when we get to the playoffs. Then, we'll see if we can't make a run there."
Junior Alexis Jones
On the transition to Baylor and recovering from injuriesà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"It's been difficult for me, but I stay in the gym as much as I can so that I can be that consistent person that the team needs. I want to help this team is much as I can in any way that I can."
Senior Niya Johnson
On being back after missing the Oklahoma State game due to injuryà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"It felt great being around my teammates again and pushing the ball. I was trying to just have fun out there, make my teammates better, and get a win. I wanted to get back in my groove."
On Odyssey Sims being back to watch the team and get her jersey retiredà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"It brought back memories of how fun it was to play with each other and how competitive we were against each other. She made me a better person on and off the court, and I think it was great that we were able to retire her jersey."
OKLAHOMA POSTGAME QUOTES
Oklahoma Head Coach Sherri Coale
Opening statementà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"We turned it over too much in the first half. You can read the stat sheet and follow along and know that's what let them get their points in transition, which is where they are really good. Too many second chance points, offensive rebounds and put backs. And that Alexis Jones is fantastic, she really played well and made some tough shots. Seemed like in the second half every time we got on a roll and were about to make that big next step, she would make a big three, and [we would] go from six back to nine."
On way they kept coming backà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"I was really pleased with our adjustment at halftime in terms of valuing the basketball. We had 13 [turnovers] in the first [half] and three in the second. They had 31 points in the paint in the first [half] and only five on the second [half]. Our execution was better in the second half. I love our team. We are tough and play with great intensity, we are good together, and it is a blast to coach. I have no complaints with these gals and the way they represent our institution."
On how close the Big 12 Conference isà ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"It would be a really fun conference season, for all of you guys, maybe not so much for us [coaches]. Niya Johnson makes a bit of a difference on this team. Eleven assists, suddenly they have 24 assists. The reason is because she is the anchor, the brains, and toughness, and the vision, and the leadership. She was impressive tonight."
Senior Peyton Little
On way they kept coming back à ¢Ã¢' ¬ ¦
"We are always going to continue to fight, I really liked the way we fought. We just dug ourselves a hole in the first half and you cannot do that against a top ten team."
