Murray State University Athletics
Felton addresses media conference
2/6/2006 6:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
OPENING STATEMENT: Coming off of those two big wins that we had against Tennessee Tech (Jan. 26) and Samford (Jan. 30), we felt really good going into the Austin Peay game (Feb. 2) and the Jacksonville State game (Feb. 4). All of a sudden, it seemed like we took two steps forward and three steps back.
We had a very disappointing effort at Austin Peay. We started out in a great big hole. Both teams were a little lethargic at the beginning. (Lady Gov) Ashley Haynes set a record on us. It was not a good night, shooting-wise or defensively.
In the Jacksonville State game, I thought our effort was pretty good. We made some crucial mistakes at crucial times. Jacksonville State made a couple of crucial offensive rebounds, and that broke our back. There were some good things in that game, but after looking at the tape, we found that we made some critical, critical errors. That's just something we've got to work on to get better for when we're in those situations.
ON THE CAUSE OF THE SETBACKS: We talked about that (if the team couldn't handle success), and after those two wins, I was afraid that people might get a little too comfortable. We tried everything to prevent that because we have no room to be excited. We haven't won anything yet, and I tried to get that across to them and not take away from their confidence. I want to let them know that what we did was very good, and that success was something that was going to help build this program. We just had a lot of mental breakdowns in the last two games, especially at Austin Peay. Our best player didn't have a great night; she wasn't focused, and that hurt us. We've got to get right back on track with these two games; they are huge for us.
ON TEAM HEALTH: Shaleea Petty is not real healthy as far as her legs, and that's kind of a day-to-day thing. Without her, it's tough. As a veteran point guard, she's the leader for us. Hopefully, we'll have her at full speed or as much as she can go. She doesn't do a lot in practice right now. We're at that point in the year where she does what she needs and rests a llittle bit for game time.
ABOUT THE UPCOMING "DEATH VALLEY' TRIP: We talked about (staying in contention for a tournament berth) the other night. I've played in (the OVC Tournament) in my other two years here, and I don't plan on missing it, so we're going to do all we can to take care of business. We've got to go get a couple of road wins somewhere, and there's no better place to start out at than Eastern Kentucky.
They came in here and beat us at our place by five. It was a game where we shot 57 percent from the free-throw line, had 17 turnovers that a lot were unforced. We played without Joi Scott that game. Hopefully, we'll have her along with some other big contributions. In the first game, Erica Gordian had 18 (points) and nine (rebounds), and Ashley Nichole (Hayes) had 12 and 16. We need them to show up. We had 50 rebounds that game and 24 offensive boards, so if we have that kind of effort -- with the addition of Joi Scott -- I think we'll be in good shape.
Morehead State is a team that has had a long break; they've had a lot of rest. It's a team that we beat here, so they're going to be hungry. Among the three of us, somebody's going to be out (of the eight-team tournament) at the end, and we want to make sure we do what we need to do to stay in contention.
