Feb. 2, 2012

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#9 Maryland 86, Boston College 44
Feb. 2, 2012
College Park, Md. (Comcast Center)

Head Coach Brenda Frese

Opening statement:
"I thought the first half was by far the most inspired, best effort and intensity that we've given up to date. It's encouraging with three of our best practices leading up to this game today. I thought it showed a lot of character from our last [game]. Obviously we were disappointed in the second half. We've got to get better in terms of putting a 40-minute game together. I thought we had too many lapses in the second half that we've got to improve on, but it's something to build on. I was encouraged by the first 20 minutes and now putting them back to back."

On coming back from last week's loss:
"We've worked extremely hard since that game and understanding the importance of how you start and coming out with great energy and intensity. I thought we were really inspired and played extremely hard."

On the team's dominance in the first half:
"We were really good. It was by far, for this team this season, one of the most dominating first halves we've had. That's encouraging. When we can start to put 40 minutes together like that, that's a scary thought to think of when we play like that."

On Alyssa Thomas's return:
"It was extremely important [to have her back]. First and foremost, the energy she brings gives our team great confidence on the floor. You know she's going to go hard every position, defensively, offensively, the way she's going to rebound the basketball. She's obviously a really critical piece for us."

On the team's balance:
"Every single player had a rebound, so that was a neat stat to see. I like when we can play our bench and show our depth. Whitney Bays and Essence Townsend and Sequoia Austin put some really good practices together so to be able to reward them was encouraging. We have to keep building on that depth."

the team's defense:
"I thought that in the first half we were really locked in. Our ball pressure was really good, our help side defense was tremendous, and we communicated really well. Obviously, having the bench on our end was a big assist. I thought we got better defensively tonight."

Sophomore Forward Alyssa Thomas

On starting strong after missing last week's game:
"It just felt good to be back on the court with my team. It just happened that I was running hard and I got the ball."

Sophomore Guard Laurin Mincy

On the team's shooting:
"Obviously, I would like to credit my post players, they were being double teamed down low and we worked on a little bit of inside-out in practice and we just executed well. They were able to find us in open spots and we were able to make the shots."

On the impact of Alyssa Thomas' return:
"It's very important. She brings so much to our team. She brings a lot of energy, when she's doing her thing we just follow her lead. She opens up the floor for everybody. When she's out there defenders pay a lot of attention to her and it opens up the floor for everyone."