Kentucky-Arkansas Postgame Quotes
Kentucky-Arkansas Postgame Press Conference
Rupp Arena
Jan. 4, 2024
Head Coach Kyra Elzy
On what the team did to make the difference…
“You know, I thought we came out with great defensive intensity. I thought Brooklyn Miles really set the tone for us defensively. You know, we went in saying that we have to run them off the three-point line, bring ball pressure, and make them start their offense out on the floor and not let them operate the three-point line and we did that I thought, early.”
On the team’s emotions after the win and the momentum going forward…
“I think this team has been through a lot in the non-conference and they’ve practiced really hard. I’ve been hard on them along with this staff so it was an emotional type of game, and then just trying to get them to sell out defensively and actually seeing some success. I think that brought in enjoyment and excitement. Winning always helps. But just trying to get a young team just to believe and that our hard work will pay off in time.”
On what non-conference play taught the team…
“We have to stay together. It’s a game of runs and resiliency. Stay with your game, make sure we’re playing our game, buying into the defensive effort. And for this team, it doesn’t matter who gets the credit. Doesn’t matter. We just need people to step up and make game-winning plays and our mantra today, whatever it takes whatever it takes, and you have to be willing to do your job and we did that.”
On the team’s performance…
“ Petty is an absolutely great player for sure. She was 22-19 today. Very proud of her and the work that she put in. But like I said, we do it together. Everybody has to make plays. I want to give a big shout-out to Emma King. She really steadied the ship for us and showed her veteran experience offensively and defensively. I thought she was very solid. But there were other stats that don’t show on the sheet, like Cassidy Rowe. She came in and took a charge. Eniya Russell came in and made some big plays. So I will keep saying it, this is a team, and we’re going to have to do it together night in and night out.”
On what made Samara Spencer difficult to contain…
“Speed and her ability to get downhill and finish. I thought she hit some tough ones down the stretch, and we started fouling and she got free throws. They are a very talented team.”
On the offensive strategy for the game…
“ We talked about putting our feet in the paint to score. Whatever that looked like- whether that was transition offense, pounding the ball inside through the post, or driving the ball to the paint. That was our game plan.”
On the physicality of tonight’s game…
“This is big girl basketball. It’s going to be physical. That’s what this league is- physical, athletic, very talented. We just have to bow up. That’s the slogan I use in practice. Every game is going to be physical and be a dogfight. You just have to find a way to do the little things that put yourself in a position to win.”
Player Quotes
#0, Brooklynn Miles, G, Jr.
On how they slowed down SEC scoring leader Taliah Scott and Arkansas as a whole…
“We did it with defense and ball pressure. We talked about getting up in their shorts and running them off the three-point line because they are such a good three-point shooting team. So just everything that we have been doing in practice and everything Coach Elzy is installing in our head is finally paying off.”
On becoming more of a vocal leader…
“Ever since I have been here, I have always tried to be a vocal leader. It really helps being more comfortable and seeing my teammates respect me and feel like they always have my back which makes me want to talk even more.
On her return to Tennessee this weekend and if it feels different…
“All games mean the same to me. SEC means time to win and we are going to go try and win but I am ready to say the least.”
#13, Ajae Petty, F, Sr.
On starting 4-9 and talking to coach …
“Um. It was more of just them letting me know to just continue to keep shooting and trusting in the work that I put in.”
On what shifted to end the first half on an 18-4 run …
“Like BK [Brookylnn Miles] said we feed off of intensity. You know, we feed off BKs defense on the ball and you know, we like we just try to play hard for one another.”
On what she thinks has improved in her game …
“I think I’ve improved everything. I’ve improved my mindset. I’ve improved the way that I eat the way that I just approached the game, just in general. It’s not just one thing I didn’t work on.”
On Ajae’s approach to the game…
“It’s the same thing to go in and work hard taking practices is another game. You know when I tried to go into practice, I don’t think of it as practice I think of it as another game. I’m going in there and I’m trying to get better every day.”
On what has changed to close games out …
“I would just say that everyone’s locked in. Just trying to do the best that we can. I think everyone’s approach to the game is definitely different. I think everyone’s more locked into what we actually need to do in order to win you know, you take the lessons. We don’t really call it losses you call it lessons learned from everything that we encountered in the offseason you just make sure you don’t go and make those same mistakes.”
On celebrating the win…
“I think the lock-in on defense I would say that’s the thing that I’m most proud of. But I’m also proud of just like I said everyone’s approach to the game. I felt like everyone was intense. Like just all across the board. And everyone was on the same page and once.”
