University of Massachusets Athletics
Postgame Quotes: UMass 72, St. Bona 64
February 19, 2006 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 19, 2006
Recap | Box Score | Notes
Head coach Travis Ford on the victory:
"We needed a big game from our bigmen. What I have been preaching to them for the last few days was for our bigs to step up and dominate a basketball game. I said in our pregame talk that - whatever dominate means to our bigs, then go out and do it.
"Our last two games at Florida State and George Washington, our guards carried us. Against St. Bonaventure, our bigs carried us. Now its time for everyone gets on the same page. We need everyone to play well in the same game because we are going to need it against Charlotte.
"Again, I am proud of our effort, but 23 turnovers and shooting 48 percent from the foul line we did not help ourselves at all. It is just very frustrating to see that. But when your outrebound an opponent by 21 rebounds - and they (St. Bonaventure) usually outrebound their opponents by three per game - when you get 19 rebounds from Freeman and 15 from Lasme, good things are going to happen. Now we have to figure out how to cut down the turnovers and make free throws."
Ford on the missed opportunities:
"We are not helping ourselves a whole lot. Thank goodness we do play hard and we do rebound and our guys listen to the scouting report and try to take away the other team's strength, we did that. If we are going to finish the season strong, we have to cut out the turnovers and missed free throws. We have to make better decisions and free throws are just practice, practice, practice.
"We will take the win and get out of here. The road has not been kind to us. We have been in the road for 18 of the last 27 days, the end of a stretch of 6-of-8 games in the road, a seven-hour bus ride, coming up to Olean, N.Y., where its zero degrees and been snowing, our guys could have made excuses but it was a must win. He sustained a pretty good effort with solid rebounding and going after the basketball."
Rashaun Freeman on his game
"This game was personal for me as the fans and teammates know I have struggled the last couple of games. My focus was to bounce back and lead our team as a I usually do."
Freeman on how he was getting open and getting so many chances:
"It wasn't about talent, it was all about being aggressive and beating their bigmen to the boards. I think Stephane and I did that very well."
Freeman on his boardwork with Lasme:
"It just worked out that I was better on the offensive boards and he was better on the defensive boards. I know I am out their for one reason, to get the rebound and score. That's what I have to do for the rest of the season for our team to be successful."
Freeman on winning on the road:
"It was important to win on the road. Coach stressed to us to put everything else aside and start a new season with this game. Heading into the A-10 Tournament, the season started today."
Freeman on his domination in the second half:
"I knew I had to be aggressive and I smelled blood when I was going at (Williams). That's what you have to do, what you do in the second half is what gets you the win."
