I was hoping we'd stretch out the lead a little more, because I knew they were going to come back. The tough thing about this game is that it's like playing for the championship in the middle of the season, and you don't know how the guys are going to react after it's over. |
We stopped a lot of their easy baskets. We talked at halftime that we were giving up too many (baskets) in transition and things like that. We gave up a lot of steals in the first half and a lot of easy baskets. We tried to focus on cutting off their dribble penetration. That was really hurting us. We wanted to make them shoot over the top. I think it worked to an extent in the second half. |
We talked about taking him (out) after the sixth, decided we'd take him out if he allowed a runner in the seventh, then pushed it back even further. We really wanted him to get the complete game, but I think we went as far as the string could go. |
You never want to get swept by your rivals, but at this point in the season, a win against anyone is important. |