NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - PRINCETON VS NC STATE

March 17, 2023

Wes Moore

Mimi Collins

Jon M. Huntsman Center

NC State Wolfpack

Media Conference

Princeton - 64, NC State - 63

THE MODERATOR: Thank you for all who are joining us for the press conference for North Carolina State postgame. We begin with a statement from Wes Moore. Once the players are dismissed, questions for the head coach will follow.

Coach, go ahead with your opening statement.

WES MOORE: First of all, give Princeton a lot of credit. They fought back, hit big shots down the stretch. You know, our kids, I thought played hard. They battled, and I have got to do a better job, to be honest, down the stretch, make better decisions, put us in a better position to finish that game off. It is a tough loss. Heart-breaking. You know, again, proud of our players. The way they competed. And tip my hat to Princeton.

THE MODERATOR: Media, go ahead with questions for the players, start with John.

Q. When you look at the final six minutes in, you didn't score a point over the final 5:44, were you getting the looks you wanted or was Princeton's defense keeping you from really getting into the offensive sets that you wanted to get it?

MIMI COLLINS: I feel we got the shots that we wanted. Some of them were rimmed in and out. Their defense was good. But it was just like, I feel like we did run the right stuff. Our shots weren't falling in that stretch. We had good transition looks as well.

THE MODERATOR: All right, thank you student athletes. Next up for coach's questions.

Q. When you get a look at the fourth quarter overall, I mean, what kind of changed for you offensively in the fourth quarter? Previously, in the second and third quarter, you were getting good shots. Knocking it down.

WES MOORE: I will be honest, I need to see the film. Like I said, I kicked myself for a couple of decisions there in the last few seconds. You know, probably should have tried to get the ball in-bounds, draw the foul. Go to the foul line. Instead of going for it, so to speak. Regret that. We had a lot of turnovers. You know, we ended up with 20 turnovers in the game. I thought there was times in the fourth quarter where maybe in transition, in whatever, we made some tough decisions and did end up turning the ball over. That is part of it as well.

Like I said, you have to give Princeton a lot of credit. They did a good job defensively, helping, getting in the gaps. We only went and got four offensive rebounds. That stuff, too, when you are not able to get boards and second-chance points, so, all of those things contributed. You know, I need to probably look at it and see.

Q. You talked yesterday about how you would have to balance focusing on Kaitlyn Chen, and not letting other folks get free for Princeton. How challenging was it today to have Grace Stone and Julia Cunningham stepping up in the scoring department alongside Chen?

WES MOORE: I think you are asking about them having other people score besides Chen, is that the gist of it?

Q. Yes.

WES MOORE: Again. We knew Stone could shoot it. Shooting 40% from three. We didn't do a good job of getting to her. The last one she hit, obviously, that was a tough one there. We were trying to do some switching, but we didn't get to her. You know, probably should have. I thought the last one Chen hit, I should have probably stressed in the time-out, just don't help off of her.

We did help, and again, they both hit big threes, that was the ball game. You have a five-point lead, they both hit three. Those two in particular, but you know. St. Rose hit some as well. When you look at in conference play, they had four kids shooting between 35% and 40% from three. We have to respect those kids. Just didn't do a good job of defending them.

Q. Just I am curious for the players on the court, what it means they were able to battle it to the end, even without Diamond Johnson on the court?

WES MOORE: Again, we have been without her for almost a month now. So, this time of year, there is no consolation prizes. And the fact that we had a lead, and had control. Had an opportunity to control the game. So, really, can't get much out of that.

Again, I am proud of our kids, the way they competed today. You know, I thought they gave it everything that they had. Obviously, we had a short bench. Really only four guards out there. Aziaha tweaked her ankle a bit. We only had three guards. Again, it was tough. We had opportunity. We didn't quite finish it.

Q. My question to you, sir. I know it is a tough loss. What approach do you take? What is the approach for the next few days?

WES MOORE: One more time? What was that before, what is our approach?

Q. Yes, sir. What is your approach over the next four days, for rebooting and planning for next season? If you have one.

WES MOORE: Again, it is a new era. Now, the transfer portal is up and running. Opened up on Monday. You know, we have to start looking at our roster, and how we want to try to rebuild that. You know, again, right now, just still really disappointed in not being able to finish this game off and help them get over the hump. We were right there. It is the tough part about losing a game like this as a coach. You second guess everything that you did. I will have to live with that for a few days. Yes, definitely got to, at some point, look at our roster, and try to build it from there.

Q. Can you talk us through that last offensive possession that you had as the buzzer was about to sound? What you were looking for?

WES MOORE: Again, obviously, it didn't work very well. It was a bad decision on my part. We were trying to get an attack towards the baseline. They did a great job of taking that away. That is what is tough. You got a few different things that you worked on all year, and you want to try to run in those situations.

Like I said, the one that really bothers me is the one with about 12 seconds. When we had the ball in-bounds pass tipped and ended up turning it over. We had a two-point lead at that point. And now, looking back, I wish I had been more conservative, got it in and let them foul us. Have an opportunity to go clinch the game at the foul line. That is the one that bothers me. Also, the last one.

In hindsight, I wish I ran something different. We were trying to get downhill over there, and have someone in the weak side corner. If the drive wasn't developing all the way to the rim. Again, should have done something different.

Q. Just your thoughts on Brown-Turner, Boyd, and Hobby, their four years, what have they contributed to NC State?

WES MOORE: All three of them were part of four NCAA teams, three ACC champions, tournament-wise, regular season championship. So, they have quite a legacy. You know, did a lot of great things for our university and our program. Like I said, I hate it that it ended this way. And that I couldn't help them at least take another step to see where it led us. Yes, you know, I appreciate what they have done, and all that they have contributed to our program, and the way they have carried themselves.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Coach.