Nova Southeastern University Athletics

General Thoughts
Coach LeAnn Freeland: It was a great team effort. I thought we came out and stayed together for 40 minutes. I thought we fought hard and it was clear to me that it was really important for our team to stay alive after today. I was really impressed with our effort and I felt like everyone came to battle.
 
Our ladies have been waiting for this opportunity all season. I shared with the ladies before the game that I had a nice, calm presence about myself earlier today, just knowing that we’re ready for this opportunity. Our players have really been working all season for this time of year, and it was clear today that they were mentally prepared for it.
 
Q: What does this win do for your program?
 
Freeland: Well I think it’s definitely moving in the right direction. When I had the opportunity to take the job two years ago I thought it was a great opportunity to bring in players who shared the same vision. This is a gold mine in south Florida and I think we all know that. The players we brought in, and we recruited, really bought into the vision and are building a great program. It’s all about the players and what they really want, and they’ve done a really tremendous job over the last two years to get where we are right now.

Q for Robinson: How big was the first 3-pointer?
 
Danielle Robinson: We came out really focused on defense, so the 3-pointer came because of our defensive effort and our effort on rebounding.

Q for Porter: How important was the start of this game?
 
Meixandra Porter: We came out aggressive. When we come out aggressive on both offense and defense we are a pretty dominant team. That is definitely when we find our flow and we work together as a team. Being aggressive is part of who we are.
 
Q: How do you feel about playing a SSC team in the next round?
 
Freeland: We know both teams really well. Whoever has the opportunity to advance, we are happy to play them. I don’t think we have a preference, both teams are very good programs and we’ve battled with them all season.
 
Q: Meix, do you have a preference?
 
Porter: It doesn’t really matter. If we saw Rollins I wouldn’t be upset about it just because we have some business to take care of, especially at home, but at the end of the day, whoever are next opponent is, we have to come to work.
 
Q to Tailor Jones: You had a well-rounded game, what was your approach?
 
Jones: Just to be aggressive, to keep pushing, to be there for my teammates, to play together and have some fun. If you do those things, you play well.
 
Q: Were you aware you were close to a triple-double?
 
Jones: I was not aware of that at all. I was just out there playing some ball, having some fun.
 
Q: You’ve out rebounded the bigger Clark Atlanta team pretty handily in both games you’ve played them. Tell me how that was a big advantage.
 
Freeland: We broke down some statistics over the last couple of days, and came to the conclusion that we needed to battle more on the boards. It's fun as a coach on the sidelines to see how the players made it a point of emphasis. This team can do whatever the put their mind to and that’s the joy of coaching this group.
 
Q for Jones: I saw you take a big fall in the game. Are you okay?
 
Jones: I’m fine. It was just a little shock. I fell right on my elbow. That was the first thing that hit the ground. It was a little tight at first, but I shook it off and came back in.
 
Q for Robinson: How important is it for you guys to have a fast start?
 
Robinson: It’s important that we come with a defensive mindset. When we make stops, we just get the ball out and we just go. We always stay aggressive, but it starts on the defensive end every time.
 
Q for Freeland: Tell me about Riki Carach’s big performance tonight after not playing in the last conference tournament game.
 
Freeland: Riki is a player who plays her best when we play teams that are big and physical. I was excited to get this matchup with Clark Atlanta because I knew Riki has been working extremely hard. She is a great team player and she was just waiting for an opportunity to get out there.
 
Q: And Taylor Buie?
 
Freeland: Taylor is very unshakable for a freshman. I don’t think her blood pressure raises over 120 over 80 or her heart rate increases over 70. For a freshman as a point guard, I think we all feed off of that nice calm energy that she brings every day.