NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - EASTERN WASHINGTON VS OREGON STATE

March 21, 2024

Aaliyah Alexander

Jamie Loera

Gill Coliseum

Eastern Washington Eagles

Media Conference

Q. What do you remember about the last time your team was in Corvallis, memories of that game?

JAMIE LOERA: Definitely, I remember going into that game just super excited to be playing, you know, a Pac-12 but just playing in that environment. I had been there before, so it was super fun to have those moments with my teammates.

And as far as the game goes, yeah, just super fun to be able to play in the atmosphere and for the team to experience that type of play and I think for sure just like knowing how good we are and how well we can compete.

So I think going into this game this year, it's going to be the same thing, embracing these moments and just having confidence in who we are.

Q. A veteran team, you guys have got a lot of experience. How has that paid off for you this season, when you're going up against a team that has obviously had a great season but no seniors.

AALIYAH ALEXANDER: I think it's definitely going to pay off. We've had some challenging games earlier in the preseason playing those tougher teams like Gonzaga, U.C. Irvine and Cal, and even though we lost those games, I feel like they really challenged us and made us a better team and just having all of our team back, I just feel like us being seasoned, it's really going to show playing our game tomorrow.

JAMIE LOERA: Yeah, for sure, I think again just having that confidence in who we are and just knowing that we are capable of heating at such a high level, it's just going to be a test to just come out and just play to our abilities and really just have a good time playing with one another. I think it's just super fun to embrace these moments.

Q. What was it like to win that Big Sky Championship for not only you guys but for the school and the whole area outside of Spokane? What kind of personality does this team have?

JAMIE LOERA: I would say it was just feeling super honored to represent our community and to have the season that we are having. Just feeling very proud of this team, knowing what we have overcome, like she said, and battling through every sort of scenario this season, I think it's really prepared us and shaped who we are.

As far as who we are as a team, we love to just find joy in every moment. We don't let things pressure us too much. I think that's one of our strengths, just staying present, taking it one game at a time and embracing just the moments we get as this team because you know there's not too many left and I think it's really special to be able to acknowledge that.

AALIYAH ALEXANDER: Just what she said, just to work hard from the fall and to have an opportunity to play in that championship game and win, it was an amazing experience.

And kind of like what Jamie said, we are a bubbly team. We laugh; we love; we cry; we work hard for each other. Just to celebrate when that buzzer went off in the final game, it was such a surreal moment and will be cherished forever.

Q. Your thoughts on this year's Oregon State Beavers team?

JAMIE LOERA: Yeah, they are a tough team. Like you said, they are young and for us, we have been talking about this week since the selection show, it's a really good matchup for us. I think it's going to be another great opportunity to play this team. Like last year, I think both teams are still very similar.

Yeah, it's a great matchup and really excited to play such a great team who finished well in the Pac-12.

AALIYAH ALEXANDER: Yeah, just echoing what Jamie said, we have similar teams from last year, and super excited to practice and scout and really lock in on them and just go into that game with full confidence and try and have a good game.