March 7, 2005

SAINT MARY'S Saint Mary's coach Randy Bennett On the team's play:
"Both teams competed very hard. I think the game was ugly."

Bennett on Santa Clara's play: "That's how they play. You have to keep your composure. Eventually we got in the double-bonus."

Bennett on match-up with Gonzaga: "We're going have to shoot it better against Gonzaga, especially from the 3-point line."

Bennett on SMC's NCAA Tournament chances: It's a win that will enlarge our resume. Winning is the only sure way. Tonight make a big difference. Not many teams that have 25 wins."

Saint Mary's guard E.J. Rowland on playing in another tournament championship game: "We get another crack at a conference championship. We though we were in last year, so we just try to not think about it.

Rowland on SMC's NCAA postseason chances: "Everybody says we're in. Our coaches tell us everyday to not think about it. We do pay attention to some of the other mid-majors."

SANTA CLARA Coach Dick Davey: "One thing that really hurt us was the penetration. They were going to the line all night long in the second half. I'm sure we fouled a lot but...It was a hard fought game but they had the better end of it. Both teams played very hard. We just couldn't make shots. It became a free throw game in the second half."

Davey on Doron Perkins: "The last two nights he really had trouble making baskets. It's too bad because he had a great year He just couldn't make baskets the last two days. You can't take him out. He's kind of the mainstay of our team this year."

Davey on the play of freshman Brody Angley: "We think it bodes well for the future. He's a competitive guy and I think he's getting better and better. He's starting to make a few shots now. He's starting to get a little more comfortable. I'm excited about his potential down the road."

Davey regarding postseason/NIT possibilities: "No, we're done. There's no chance. Obviously we would have liked to have won more games this year. I liked the group. I liked their attitude. I liked their effort. We just didn't make enough shots to give ourselves enough chances in enough games and hopefully that's something we can improve upon in the off season."