February 17, 2000

Steve Cleveland

General comments about the game: "We played 20 minutes.  Unfortunately you have to play 40 to win.  We had no energy.  We didn't defend at all in the first half.  The good thing is that they found out how to recapture the energy [in the 2nd half].  We'll need that in our next games."

About the end of the game:  "They made some big shots.  We took some threes late in the game, but the wrong guys shot them.  When you get late in the game, [Lyday] needs to have the ball in his hands."

On his deep bench players playing at the end of the game: "These young men have been playing very well in practice.  I think John Allen played solid minutes. Marc Roberts played because he can defend and he did a nice job." 

Fran Fraschilla (Head Coach, New Mexico)

General comments about the game:  "Great road win for us.  We have a lot of respect for what Coach Cleveland is doing here.  They are almost over the hump."

On BYU's defense:  "They are an extremely intelligent team defensively.  In the first half, we were beating them off the dribble.  Obviously when you have Lamont Long out there it makes it easier.  We just did enough to hold them off in the end."

Matt Montague

About NMU's Lamont Long: "He's an awesome player.  He was on tonight.  Give him credit."

On the difference between the first and second half:  "Intensity.  First half we came out flat defensively.  The second half we played well, we held them to 27 points."

Did you feel you'd win the game?:  "Yes, we honestly felt like we were going to win that game."

How's your achilles?:  "Good.  Back to normal."

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