It was a tough situation last year. We were never in the game at all after the first minute or two, and it was discouraging. But this year, I thought we could play with them. I thought we had our opportunities. If we could withstand all their pressure, I thought we could play well.

It was such a testimony to our kids and their dedication and their hard work ethic to run the drills. We run an awful lot. We told them, 'You've got to put all that stuff in the bank because there will come a time down the line that we will need to make a withdrawal.' Tonight was one of those nights.

She's the quickest kid we have. We tried to get some pressure on their point. With Courtney, we had our two fastest kids to pressure them. As soon as we were able to do that, it changed the complexion of the game.

It was our ability to pressure their guards so they couldn't quite run their offense. Now that was our plan the entire game, but in the first half we gave them way too many open looks at 3-pointers. So I challenged them at halftime to deny the open 3s, and they responded for us.

They're pretty darn good. I'd put them as one of the better teams we've faced period, and we've played some good ones. They're as good as any team we've played, and obviously the best in Division II.

I wasn't counting them. I thought if we could withstand their pressure, we had a chance.