When we play as a team, this is how we play. I'm thrilled that we started clicking and playing so well. Last year was disappointing, the way we lost (73-44). This year we turned it around and gave them something they never saw before.

We definitely draw off our defense, and when we play good team defense we get energy.

When we faced a hard situation, everyone felt like it had to be them to take over the game. If we just play like a team, it's easier for us.

We were fortunate to win game one. We didn't play very well, and we squandered a lot of point-scoring opportunities. We really dug ourselves into a hole. Fortunately, Ben got hot; they couldn't handle his serve, and we were able to make up a lot of points in a hurry. That's something we don't do very often, but when we do, it's a pleasant surprise.

We had to play all 16 minutes of the second half because Coach Hardy and his guys are really good. It was a battle.

This was just the kind of game we need at this point. Everybody got to play, and we got to rest some of the starters and that is good in the stretch we are in.