NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - FGCU VS VIRGINIA TECH

March 17, 2022

Kierstan Bell

Kerstie Phills

Florida Gulf Coast Eagles

Media Conference

Q. For either or both of you. You guys obviously have led the nation in three-point attempts by a wide margin. Your style is very unique to play against. I'm curious if you've noticed a difference when you guys are playing teams outside of your conference who maybe don't see you all as often.

KIERSTAN BELL: I think that's something nice to have, you know, when we play against teams that don't know the style of play. In the beginning we played against Michigan State, LSU and they didn't really know our style of play, and that's why we played really well. I think we're going to use that to our advantage, and if we shoot really good, I think we'll have a great game.

KERSTIE PHILLS: A lot of teams aren't really used to our solid play. We share the ball. We stretch the floor, and we get it out in conversion, and we shoot the ball for three-point especially very well.

Q. Obviously, you guys and Virginia Tech play a little bit similarly. The only difference is they play a little bit more inside with Kitley. What's the challenge going to be of getting her out of the middle and just keeping her at bay?

KIERSTAN BELL: We got a game plan for that. Coach prepares us really well for games like this. We don't have big posts, so we just have to use technique and details and just follow what Coach says. He's going to lead us in the right path. So we just execute and listen to Coach, and I think we'll play really well against her.

KERSTIE PHILLS: Like Dot said, we have a game plan for her, and we'll be prepared and ready to execute it.

Q. Kierstan, I guess Virginia Tech's coach said that your coach uses analytics a lot, likes lay-ups and three-pointers and not a lot of mid-range stuff. Does he talk about that with you guys? Is that something that is part of your practice routine or game planning at all?

KIERSTAN BELL: Are you talking about like mid jumpers?

Q. Yeah.

KIERSTAN BELL: Yeah. That's something we don't really talk about at all. He doesn't like us shooting mid ranges. And if you do, you'll be right on the bench with him. We don't take mid ranges. We just listen to what Coach wants, and he shows us the factuals behind us not doing it, so we just listen to him. He's a great coach, and he knows what he's talking about.

Q. And when you watch Kitley on video, what do you see? What makes her a good player in your mind?

KIERSTAN BELL: She uses her body. She has great footwork. You just can't get out of a stance with her. She's 6'6. I'm 6'1, so it's going to be a height difference, but I think the details and the technique that Coach is giving us to play against her, I think we'll use it really well to our advantage.

Q. Kerstie, obviously WNBA draft is coming up. Are you hoping to make a statement? I know you're focused on the team success, but are you excited also about the possibility of growing your profile a little bit more here?

KIERSTAN BELL: Yes. I'm definitely excited about the WNBA, but more excited about the NCAA tournament right now. This is my second time being back, and we're not trying to go home first round, so we're going to give all that we have for this game.

Q. This question is for both. With this game, what kind of approach are you coming into this game with outside of the Xs and Os, but like the mentality for the NCAA tournament, what is that for this team?

KERSTIE PHILLS: Our mentality is the same as every single game. We're coming in confident, with a chip on our shoulder, really. We're a 12 seed, and a lot of people out there expect us to lose, but we're ready and we're determined, and we're ready to make a run, especially in this tournament. You will be hearing FGCU a lot.

KIERSTAN BELL: Yes. Like Kerstie said, you'll hear about FGCU a lot. I felt like our seed was disrespectful. So we're going to use that and use that fuel to our fire and go out there and play FGCU basketball. Some people on this team know what it felt like to lose last year, so I think that's going to motivate everybody else to step up and play a great game.

Q. You guys almost just lead into it just now. How much did you pay attention to that 12 seed and use that for motivation, because everybody has even said, this isn't your regular 12 seed. Do you guys -- are you able to kind of draw on that or is that something you kind of put to the side?

KIERSTAN BELL: I think we can draw on that. When we were watching the selection show, we were wondering where we were at, and then when they announced that we were 12 seed, we were all like, okay, this is what they want to do to us. So we're going to come out and show why we are better than a 12 seed.

KERSTIE PHILLS: Yeah, we've accomplish a lot this season. We're a Mid Major team, FGCU, we are 29 and 2, and we're ranked in the Top 25. We beat very good schools, and we are not done with our journey yet. So we're ready.

Q. You said that there was a style of play, not necessarily a style, but you said it was Florida Gulf Coast Basketball. Describe exactly what that is.

KERSTIE PHILLS: Yes. So we definitely play unselfishly. We play as a team. There is power in numbers and sharing the ball and making sure everybody on the team touches the ball. We play for each other. We listen to our coach, and we're locked in to whatever he says. We're all bought in, and that's FGCU basketball.

MODERATOR: Kierstan, do you have a thought on that?

KIERSTAN BELL: I think she said it very well.

Q. Kierstan, when you were coming out of high school and LeBron James came to see you play, you dropped 38, had eight boards in that game. What's your relationship with him now and is he still in touch with you?

KIERSTAN BELL: We're not in touch at all, but I know it's coming soon. So I'll be ready for it. (Laughs). I'll be ready for it.