Dec. 31, 2009
Recap | Box Score
Post-Game Quotes
Loyola vs. Wright State
December 31, 2009
Loyola Head Coach Jim Whitesell
Opening statement
"It was a hard-fought game. I think one thing Wright State has been doing if you look at their last three games is just going out and really putting it to people. That was my biggest concern, trying to get off to a good start, and I think that's one thing that we did well. Wright State is such a good basketball team, with (Vaughn) Duggins and (Todd) Brown, they have so many good players. I'm just thrilled to get the `W' finally. It obviously came down to the last play. We talked to our guys, saying that these games are going to come down to the last 30 seconds or minute a lot. That's just the way it is, and I'm thrilled to win it."
On the final possession of the game
"It seemed like we were never going to get the ball back. We couldn't get the rebound, then Geoff (McCammon) deflected the ball, but then it got swung out and they got a good look at the end to win it. You really had to dig down and get a lot done there defensively, especially against a team that has a lot of weapons. There was a lot of defensive fortitude there."
On getting off to a good start
"I thought we got off to such a good start, but the turnovers really hurt us. That and Terrance Hill getting into foul trouble, Courtney (Stanley) got two, Walt (Gibler) got two, and at that point we were up seven or eight, and we want to play to win so you have to keep those guys in there and try to finish the half well. Wright State is leading our League in defense. They guard. They sit there and they guard. There is never an easy basket against those guys. That's the one thing we were really concerned about."
Loyola Senior Forward Andy Polka
On holding Wright State scoreless on the final possessions of the game
"After 39 minutes, guys have been on the floor for a long time. I mean, look at the guys on the floor and the minutes that they played. I had 34, Geoff (McCammon) had 24 and Walt (Gibler) had 29. It's all passion and heart. Like Coach says, it's not so much technique at that point. We just kind of gutted it out, and Geoff made a great play at the end to reach in there and swipe the ball away. It's hard when a team has that many possessions."
Loyola Sophomore Forward Walt Gibler
On Loyola's high turnover count
"League games are a lot different than non-conference games. These League games are really physical, really fast games and I think there are some jitters in there. Once we settled down in the second half, we started taking care of the ball. I think it was a big boost for our team that we got those extra shots in there and not just turnovers."
