Feb. 5, 2008

Recap |  Box Score

Northern Illinois Men's Basketball 2007-08

Northern Illinois vs. Buffalo

February 5, 2008 - DeKalb, Ill.

 

POST-GAME QUOTES

 

Buffalo Head Coach Reggie Witherspoon

 

"I think you saw two young teams playing, scrapping and battling tonight.  Both teams played, hard, had great energy and enthusiasm.  We're happy to come out with a win. 

 

(On breaking the road losing streak) "The biggest thing is getting the win in the MAC.  We needed to focus, be determined on the little things, the details.  We've had some good games [on the road], including the last one, which we lost in double overtime.  Every road game except one this year we had a chance to win.  

 

"Our guys did a good job of moving the ball.  I said if we learned to pass better, screen better and move better, the shooting would take care of itself.  We have good shooters, so it was a matter of doing those other things better.

 

"We wanted to press but in the last six minutes we didn't want to foul so we played zone. They did a better job of taking care of the basketball [in the second half] and they went to the basket right off of the dribble."

 

Buffalo Guard Andy Robinson

"I was in a rhythm, getting good passes from my point guard and they got me going.  We were mentally prepared for this game and looking forward to trying to get a win away from home."

 

 

Northern Illinois Head Coach Ricardo Patton

 

"I don't know that anyone that didn't know Buffalo's record would believe that they were winless in the conference if they saw them play tonight.  They played as well defensively as any team we've played all year.  They denied passes, forced our offense further out than where we wanted it and caused havoc.   

 

"We didn't make shots.  We had some opportunities to start the second half and we did everything right except put the ball in the basket. 

 

"[In the first half] They made shots and we turned the ball over.  We had 18 turnovers and those are empty possessions.  When you have turnovers, they get easy buckets.  Those turnovers are critical, especially in the front court. 

 

[On Andy Robinson] "We have to go look at the film.  The kid did a nice job of coming off screens.  He was running a fever at one point.  If he doesn't have a career night, it's a different game.  We need the same thing, someone to step up." 

 

 

NIU Forward Shaun Logan

"They were getting it to us and moving us outside.  They pushed us out from the post. 

"We need to stay together and keep playing hard.  We're upset about losing and we have to keep fighting, keep working and things will go our way."