Quotes - Wagner vs. Robert Morris (2/23/08)

Head Coach Mike Rice:  

"The energy was there, but in the first half I thought we tried to win the game on every play. It took a little more patience and discipline to win this game. I'm very excited about this win. It's hard to get a bigger game than this. Two 20-win teams in the Northeast Conference, for first place and in a great atmosphere. However, in 24 hours we have to go back to work and try to figure out how to beat a very good Sacred Heart club."

Rice on RMU's rebounding in the second half:   

"It set the tone for the second half. I told them at halftime that they were getting beat in every facet of the game in their own building, and credit our guys, because they responded. When Jeremy (Chappell) got those two offensive rebounds early and then we eventually hit the three, it set the tone for the second half."

Senior forward A.J. Jackson:  

"The first thing coach did at halftime was put 23-11 on the board. If we were going to win, we had to win it on the glass. We had to do it as a team, too, and we rebounded a lot better after that. Durell Vinson is a great player who gets a lot of rebounds, but for us we have to rebound as a team."

Sophomore guard Mezie Nwigwe:  

"It seemed like early on no one had any energy, and I wanted to give us a spark. I know my role. As long as we're winning and doing the little things, everything else takes care of itself. Our job as the bench is to give the starters a break and supply energy."