Dec. 19, 2009
Recap | Final Stats
December 19, 2009
Ohio (74) vs. Eastern Kentucky (62)
Post-game quotes
Head coach John Groce
Opening statement:
"Obviously a quality win for our basketball team. They (Eastern Kentucky) are a very good team. In watching them on film, I felt like they may have been the best offense that we've played against. I'm pleased with the way we defended the three-point line...coming into the game they were number one or number two in the country at 45 percent. If you would have told me before the game that we'd hold them to 26 percent from three, I certainly would have taken that."
"The thing I might be the most proud of was the way that we didn't tie how we were playing defensively to how miserable we were shooting the ball in the first half. Other than the fact that we got the game going more up-tempo in the second half--which is what we want--we're getting the same shots in the first half that we were in the second half, for the most part. In the second half we were able to knock a few more of them down."
"Defensively, in terms of what we were able to get done in the first half--I know they shot a pretty good percentage in the second half--but that allowed us to kind of grind away until we started making some shots, and I was probably pleased with that the most."
On the team's ability to win the turnover battle in all 10 games this season:
"We have guys that can make decisions with the ball, handle and pass. I think the reason we've been a little bit better at it lately is we're just now starting to get comfortable playing with one another."
On the team's ability to get to the free-throw line:
"I do like the fact that we got to the line 22 times. We were 17 for 26 on two-point shots. We've been working really hard to finish better in the two-point area. We did that tonight. I thought we had a really good blend."
Tommy Freeman
On the team's three-point shooting, specifically the early struggles and the ability to right the ship:
"I think coach did a good job at halftime telling us to keep shooting the shots that we were getting. We were getting wide-open looks against the zone and it was really just stepping up and knocking them down. Once we got started and hit our first one, it kind of gave everyone a little spark and a little confidence. I think once we were able to get out and run when we were getting some stops on defense, our three-point shooters were doing a good job of running all the way to the corner. D.J. (Cooper) and Armon (Bassett) were then doing a good job of finding us."
On if this game shows how the team has improved since last year:
"We approach every game the same way. Obviously the veterans had a little chip on their shoulder from last year when we went in there and got embarrassed. We just wanted to come out and really prove that this is a different set of players; this is a different year and we weren't going to let anyone else come into The Convo and break the streak that we got started again. We're trying to start a new streak and really approach each opponent and play to our capabilities and strengths."
Steven Coleman
On his performance today:
"It started on defense. That kind of carried over to the offense to pick me up and the team."
On the balanced scoring that this team can produce:
"(It gives us) freedom. Coach always tells us that if we're open to shoot the ball and attack. Everybody is always in attack mode. We have multiple players on the team that can do different things to complement each player."
Kenneth van Kempen
On his presence in today's game, both physically and in terms of production:
"We played them last year, and the last two years coach has really emphasized that we need to post up well against their type of defense. I think we practiced really well for it the last two days and executed it well today."
On embracing a "blue collar" role on the team
"I like it. It's what I do. I just try to do my job to help the team out in every way I can."
