Alabama 81, Green Bay 67
KRISTY CURRY: Well, it's really hard to win this time of year, and I'm so incredibly proud of our team and our response.
I have to say that I have so much respect for those women from Green Bay. They are everything that is so good about our game, and to see those seven seniors, and what they have done and how they have done it and how they have gone about it, they are so talented and so hard to guard. They can shoot. They hurt you inside-out.
I just have so much respect for those young women, and certainly want to make sure everyone understands what a great basketball team we beat today, and the utmost respect.
But I am so proud of our locker room. I am so proud of our team to have near five in double digits, the way we rebounded the ball, the way we took hits all day long. We were fortunate to get to the three-point line down the stretch and we were fortunate to get the ball inside the Essence.
But I cannot be more proud of our execution on both sides of the ball and the game plan. And really proud because it is hard to win this time of year.
Q. Describe the energy in the fourth quarter.
AALIYAH NYE: I think we were struggling getting stops in the first half and throughout the game, so when we were able to get those stops in the fourth quarter, I think it intensified our energy and we were able to get good shots. I think defense just led to the offense.
Q. You spent the last couple seasons at Arkansas Pine Bluff, and you returned to the NCAA Tournament this season. What was it like for you out there? What were some thoughts, feelings, going through your head in your first tournament appearance in a couple years?
ZAAY GREEN: Yeah, I just missed it a lot. I missed being in this environment and playing in this atmosphere and playing on a good team like this. Yeah, it was very exciting.
Q. Can you talk about your journey at Alabama?
AALIYAH NYE: So I started at the University of Illinois, and then I decided to come here when I transferred, and I think it's just the best decision I made. The coaches, the team, the culture here, we strive off of grit, love and gratitude which is our motto.
I'm just so thankful the grass was greener on the other side, because I know sometimes when you transfer, it's not the case. But I'm really blessed to be part of this program and this team, so yeah.
Q. With this game, you broke your single-season record for most three-pointers in a season. Just being able to look back, when you did that last year, and being able to see that now you've done it again this year, what is that full-circle moment for you, looking at all the work that you've put in?
AALIYAH NYE: I always say consistency, and don't get too high or too low. That's what I just live by, just stay consistent. I'm just blessed, like I said, to be part of this program and this team that's able to get me the ball and put me in those positions. I think just being consistent throughout this whole year and the whole time I've been here has led me to that.
Q. I was fortunate to document your story last year. Can you talk about being here and playing with these teammates? Can you reflect back on the moments recovering from your injury to all the work that you put in to be here at Alabama and then to play with these teammates that you have this year?
ZAAY GREEN: Yeah, I mean, a lot of people know my story. It wasn't the best going to Arkansas Pine Bluff and having to face that, my trials and tribulations with my knees tearing both my ACLs.
Yeah it was a lot of hard work and dedication and I had given up on myself. I always try to remind myself and tell myself to be resilient through everything and to just not give up.
Now I'm here and like Aaliyah said, I feel like I'm blessed to be part of this team, be part of this journey and to play with these teammates.
Q. Did you picture yourself when you were going through those knee struggles to get to where you are today?
ZAAY GREEN: In the back of my mind, yes, I did. I knew I wanted to come back to this stage and be a part of this environment. So yes, that, was kind of the end goal was definitely to come back.
Q. What does it mean today to have Aaliyah and Zaay lead the team in scoring and not have to rely as much on Sarah Ashlee?
KRISTY CURRY: Yeah, I think that's what makes our team really special is the ability for so many -- we are at our best when we have four in double figures. When you look at SA's line today she had a near double-double: Seven rebounds, eight assists and nine points. Maybe if it's not the most beautiful day from scoring baskets, but I think they are ability to facilitate and draw attention opens things for others.
And so to some degree, you have to pick-and-choose. It's just a credit to our kids. We want them to shoot the first open shot and whoever is open -- and they are so selfless. SA is so much about the front of our jersey. We consistently find each other, and I think that's what makes this group special.
ZAAY GREEN: Roll Tide.
AALIYAH NYE: Roll Tide.
Q. You guys dealt with a little bit of adversity in your last practice. Can you describe how your team as able to power through that and have that performance here today?
KRISTY CURRY: Yeah, you know, it was tough to lose Eric on a noncontact drill, and just one of those things, if that's what you're referring to, which is really tough. And I think how much she is loved and respected, and just incredible future ahead of her.
Our kids wanted to make sure that we continue to play because every opportunity to continue to teach and help our young players understand what this time of year is about, they want to leave a legacy. We want to take another step forward than this group was able to take a year ago, and I think you just have to credit our elder kids today. It was two really mature play-from-the-front-of-their-chest teams. It was an amazing battle, and it's kind of a slugfest back-and-forth, right. So a lot of toughness and grit, both teams, fortunate that our runs were a little bit longer and tough and grittier.
But I have so much respect, again. Today was amazing to see us rise up with some of the things that have happened here lately.
Q. From your vantage point what did you think about that last three-point barrage in that fourth quarter?
KRISTY CURRY: I knew it was coming. We just kept telling them to shoot it. No hesitation.
I thought what really opened things up, though, is when -- Essence was able to get some easy baskets and have a presence in the paint and she draws so much attention. Obviously you know, play inside-out and take what's there.
I'm just so happy for our kids. I mean, they have worked so hard to get to this point. We have so much confidence in them. I thought we missed some that kind of rimmed in and out. Just kept telling them to shoot it.
Q. I wanted to ask about Cody. She exited the game early and was able to come back and finishing in the fourth quarter. What did it mean to just be able to get her back out there on the court and see her finish through?
KRISTY CURRY: It was a game-changer for us, obviously. We felt like we had the advantage inside and I think that it will be interesting to go back and watch on film, but gracious, we couldn't keep her on the floor.
But you have to credit that young lady's toughness and perseverance and character today to fight through adversity, even when maybe what was happening not what's been happening and it wasn't necessarily the right thing. But she just continued to persevere and showed, again, it's about character and persistence.
And boy, she came in big time. You know, near had eight and six and 13 minutes and my goodness, if we could have kept her out about 25 or 30, but gracious, I'm just so happy for her. She came in when she could have held her head down, but she continued to fight through and persevere. Credit Essence because it said a lot about her as a person today.
Thank you, guys, Roll Tide.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports