Feb. 8, 2010

Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery

OAKLAND COACH Beckie Francis

OPENING STAEMENT

The two players sitting on my side just led us tonight. I thought over the last 10 minutes that the entire team stepped it up and played well. However, Melissa Jeltema and Anna Patritto just refused to lose and they took the game over in their way. Melissa's 21 points, 18 rebounds and two steals and great defense in 35 minutes was amazing. Anna did a great job of stopping Centenary and going off offensively.

On bouncing back from the Oral Roberts game.

Every conference win is an important one. I told them that in the locker room. I want to give Centenary a ton of credit. They don't have the best record but they keep fighting and fighting. Centenary keeps improving and I was really proud of our composure.

What was said in the locker room at halftime.

It was probably the most spirited I've been all year. It actually took about one minute. I said have some pride in our defense. They shot 50 percent against us in the first half and we are a very good defensive team.

On the 20 consecutive points scored late in the second half.

We weren't doing anything differently. Our shots started falling and I think our defense stepped it up. We started rebounding and kept attacking. Kirstie Malone's shot was really critical. Everyone on the team really likes her and when she hit the shot it just really perked us up.

Melissa Jeltema

How important it is for you to be this consistent.

You know, I really don't think about it. I just go out there and play. I just focus on my game and our game as a team. It doesn't matter who the opponent is.

The difference between the first and second half.

Defense. I think our defense in the second half was a lot better. We didn't shoot entirely well but our defense really stepped up in the second half. That is why we won.

Anna Patritto

How condition played a part in the outcome.

Our summer and in-season conditioning is really intense. We are always running and lifting and trying to stay in shape. It was a big factor in our win tonight. The increase in production lately. It's getting really close to tournament time. I'm really close to our seniors, we're really good friends and I want them to end their careers on a good note. So I'm just focusing on getting them to the NCAA tournament.