WMU-Jacksonville Post Game Quotes

Senior Forward Anthony Avery

On Jacksonville

“Jacksonville is a really good team. They came out and shot the three really well. We weren't thinking about Kent State, we were thinking about Jacksonville and trying to get better as a team before we get to MAC play. Jacksonville is a good test for us.”

On what non-conference play has taught the team

“We're always going to fight no matter what game it is. I really like this team. MAC play should be really good for us.”

Junior Forward Tucker Haymond

On what Saturday's game means going forward

“This definitely gives us some confidence going into MAC play by playing a close game going down to the last media timeout. We've lost a few and we've won a few in that same time period. These are the kinds of games we'll be playing the rest of the season so it's good we got used to that. I feel like we grew up today and we kept our composure. When we were down five in the under-four timeout, we hit some shots and played 'D' and pulled the win out. It was definitely a good confidence builder.”

On being a resilient team

“We have a confident group of guys. Everyone is playing with confidence even though Thomas went 1-for-5 from three, the one he made he shot like he'd made his last four. Confidence is big for us. Coach says when we play with confidence within the whole system, great things happen for us.”

Sophomore Forward Drake LaMont

On Saturday's game

“I think this game is huge. In conference play there's not going to be a lot of games that our 10-point or more. Last year we had five games in conference play we lost by six points or less. That goes to show in the MAC anything can happen and games are going to come down to the wire.”

On his improvement from last year

“A lot of credit goes to Coach Farmer. In the offseason I spent a lot of time with him going back to all the fundamentals. He went to UCLA and played for Coach Wooden so using the glass is a huge part of what he wants to teach me. The time I also spent on my own doing the things he taught me to do. Last year was a foundation of getting to where I am and where I have to go.”

Head Coach Steve Hawkins

On Jacksonville

“It was another grind it out kind of game, against another solid basketball team, those guards are really difficult to deal with. We haven't shot the ball well the last two games, when we were able to hit some shots late the game gets a lot easier because it opens things up.

On how the Broncos won

"Drake had a whale of a ball game obviously and as the game progressed when we would throw it inside they would have a guy in-front and behind him so we started attacking and then we were able to hit some shots and that opened things back up.

“When we were down by five and Wilder hit a three, we called time on the next possession and ran a set play for Haymond, I was a little nervous about it but I thought he would be open and he hit. That is what great players do when you need a basket.

“After our next timeout Thomas came to me and said, 'let me stick on 55.' So we made that adjustment and Thomas did a great job, I love it when a kid comes to me and says they want a challenge like that.

On getting ready for conference play

“The teams that we have had here that have been the most successful are the ones that had multiple weapons and going into conference play that is what we will need... The teams are so evenly matched you can't let an opponent go on a 10-0 run, so the bench will have to shorten a little bit but we have had different guys at different times step up for us and give us big games.”