The University of Mississippi Athletics
Renee Ladner Postgame Quotes
2/12/2010 | Women's Basketball
On the loss...
"It's very disheartening. We knew exactly who was going to take the last shot. I think we guarded the first part of it and didn't guard the second part. Angie (Bjorklund) does an outstanding job of making big shots for Tennessee at big moments. Give them a lot of credit. I thought we fought valiantly for most of the game. For the most part, we had our opportunities. Anytime you get into a SEC game, especially with Tennessee, you can't have empty possessions or mental letdowns. They have the ability to make the big play when it counts."
On the Ole Miss guards' play...
"We don't match up with them very well size wise. We're playing four guards and a post, and our ability to shoot the three kept us in the game. Liz (Robertson) was outstanding. Bianca (Thomas) did not hit as many shots as she normally does. They would be right on the rim. Then, you've got 5-foot-nothing and 5-foot-7 in the other positions. We don't match up very well with them size wise. What we lack in size we make up in speed and heart. I thought for the most part, we hung tough."
On the absence of Nikki Byrd (due to injury)...
"It affected us greatly. Nikki is 6-foot-3 with a big wingspan. She's learned to battle with the big kids in the SEC. She gets a big rebound, and she'll make a big shot. Because of the size differential in this particular game, I thought we really needed her. Without her in there, we really couldn't pull too many people away from the basket. As a coach, I'm extremely proud of her effort. She's getting better and better. She dove on the floor for a loose ball. I will take that any time, any place."
