Nov. 30, 2003

Recap| Box Score| Notes

Head Coach Stan Joplin

(opening comments)

"There's going to be a lot of games decided in the last two or three minutes with all the parity in college basketball and this is just a sample. We made some plays down the stretch that we had to make. We struggled defensively in the first half and we didn't rebound well or take care of the basketball. In the second half, it was the opposite and we were able to win. Our defense really picked it up a notch and that was big for us."

(on facing Ohio's pressure defense)

"I think as long as our young guards are aggressive they will be successful. Last year, we didn't the type of penetration we did today with Justin and Rashay. They confused us and we weren't making very good decisions in the beginning. It was a good test for us."

(on Ohio taking a first-half lead)

"They were playing a lot harder than we were on offense and defense. We weren't moving as aggressively as I would like."

Senior guard Keith Triplett

(on taking charge in the second half and scoring 15 points)

"When things aren't going well I have to pick up my game another level. When I do that then everybody follows."

(on winning a game like this to open the MAC season)

"This win felt very good because I think we would have lost a close game like this last year. We have a true point guard this year and we're winning now and playing team basketball."