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POST-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
TODD GOLDEN
Opening statement
“Really pleased and really happy with the way we performed tonight. Obviously, we got off to a slow start, losing Micah [Handlogten] in the first minute and a half, not something that was scripted for us. But I was really proud of the way our guys stepped up. Obviously, we played a limited lineup with him out. Came back, did a good job in the first half to get that lead. Tommy [Haugh] hit that big 3 right before halftime, which I thought gave us a lot of momentum going into the second half. I thought we just wore them down a little bit. I thought we did a really good job defensively all night, held them to 35 [percent] from the field, gave up too many 3-pt attempts, but guarded the line pretty well and forced 14 turnovers. Obviously, that kind of spearheaded our run in the second half. And then obviously, Walter Clayton had a fantastic game, 28 points tonight, and did a really good job hitting big shots when we needed them. This is a big win for us. This is going to be one that’s going to go with us all year.”
On the team’s 24-2 fastbreak scoring advantage
“I think we had to wear them down a little bit. They’re a good team and they did a good job of putting pressure on us, on the glass, which kind of limited our opportunities. But once we started getting those clean rebounds in the second half we have multiple guys who can bring it and make decisions, and that allows us to really push and play with really good tempo. They just weren’t getting back as well as the game went on, as they were early on. I thought we did a good job taking advantage of that.”
On staying composed after Pitt opened the game on a 7-0 run
“I thought early on our issues were more on the offensive end. We weren’t executing very well. Defensively, I think Blake Hinson banked in a 3 to get them up 7-0, so a little of it was fluky. We knew if we stayed the course that we’d be all right. But I thought the guys did a good job of controlling their emotions and keeping calm through it, and we responded pretty quickly.”
On Micah Handlogten’s injury status
“Ankle. Hopefully nothing too serious. We’re getting it looked at right now, so we’re waiting to hear what’s going on.”
WALTER CLAYTON JR.
On forcing mistakes vs. a young backcourt
“That was something we talked about on the scout. They’re a young team, and obviously experience plays a lot in this game. That was definitely one of the things we knew and we talked about.”
On what got him going on a hot stretch in the second half
“Just everybody on the team finding me in my spots. We had, what, 24 assists? We were just finding each other tonight, and glad the shots were falling.”
HIGHLIGHTS
SOCIAL SLANT
BOX SCORE
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Video courtesy GatorVision | Transcripts courtesy Florida Sports Information
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