Locker Room Chat with Adaora Elonu after win over Arkansas

Locker Room Chat with Adaora Elonu

On making it through to the Sweet 16…

“It feels really good. I’m just glad we were able to play on our home floor and to get the win is just a bonus. We got it together at the end and pulled through, but we let them come back and retake the lead after we lost our lead. We did a good job of keeping our composure and fighting through and playing defense on the last play. We did an awesome job of pulling together and it feels great to win my last game here at Reed Arena.”

On playing for Coach Schaefer in his last game at Reed Arena…

“I never thought about it that way, but what a better way to end his last game here than on a defensive play. I know it was great for him and he was overcome with emotion. I was glad the team was able to get the win for him.”

On her stellar performance tonight…

“The coaches said that it was probably going to turn out to be an inside game because they switch a lot and we need to take advantage of the mismatches. I just took the shots that were given to me. My teammates did a good job of finding me, I had a lot of easy baskets thanks to them. They just did a great job of finding me and I did an okay job of making my shots. I missed a lot of bunnies but we got the win which is all that counts.”

On the play off the bench…

“That was one of the keys from Coach Blair, that the bench needs to make a statement and step up in this game, and I think they did a phenomenal job. We really needed them tonight and they step up, especially with Tyra (White) and Sydney (Carter) and Kelsey (Bone) not really doing what they normally do. I think the bench did a great job.”

On staying calm down the stretch…

“Thank goodness the huddle was pretty calm. We had a confidence about us that we weren’t going to let this game slip away and I think that was really important, just installing that confidence within the team. We went out there and kept our composure. The coaches did a really good job, but while the lead was slipping away, it was unfortunate for us because we knew that it was something that we let happen so we had to go back and get that win for the team and for the fans. We just dug deep and we pulled through.”

On Sydney Carter’s clutch free throws in the final minute of play…

“She’s been missing her free throws, but she’s been working at it and the coaches feel confident in her. She knocked down the shots and she did the same thing against Iowa State when we played them here. We’re definitely confident when she has the ball in her hands at the free throw line.”

On the keys to keeping this post-season run alive…

“Getting better on defense, getting better on offense and just working on our game all the way around. We’re going to play a tough team in Maryland and we know that we have to play really smart, really focused and play like an experienced team as defending national champions. We are really excited that we’ve gotten to the Sweet 16 again, but we need to stay focused in the next round.”