PAC-12 CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

March 4, 2021

Quay Miller

Washington Huskies

Postgame Press Conference

UCLA - 58, Washington - 46

Q. Can you sort of take us through that fourth quarter? It seemed like this game was right there for you guys. You were down three. Had a lot of momentum, but it felt like you ran out of gas or, just if you could, sort of take us through that fourth quarter.

QUAY MILLER: I don't know. It went by so fast. You know, we tried to -- we competed against a really good team. And unfortunately we lost Haley Van Dyke at halftime. And that kind of hurt us a little bit. And then their defense turned up a little bit more. And I think it just rattled us a little bit.

And they got the ball out of our hands a few too many times. And I think that is what set the difference between the fourth quarter and the rest of the game.

Q. Even before you guys lost Haley, in that first half, did you feel a need to be more aggressive because it seemed like you were looking for your shot. And that was just one heck of a game by you tonight.

QUAY MILLER: Right. Like I said, the last game against Colorado, my coaches and my teammates give me the green light to go whenever I feel like I have the advantage. So I just tried to do what I could, take all my open shots. And if I couldn't make the shot at least get fouled, do whatever I can to help get this team a win.

Q. Just in terms of like a big picture. If you guys do not play another game, just your take, I guess, on this wild, crazy season?

QUAY MILLER: Well, the season -- I think for the most part, if anything, we are fortunate to play a season. I know most schools weren't even able to have a season. So being able to get through this season with COVID was big for us. And I think for the most part it brought us together even more. And it played in our -- for the better of us so that next year we'll be even better connected.

We spent so much time together. And through all this adversity, I just think more than anything it just brought us together. And even though it was hard, went on a 10-game losing streak but no one ever left each other's side through that. And I think that was big for me, big for the team.

Q. You had 19 points, seven rebounds, one block, one assist, two steals. Seems like I was just talking to you at the beginning of the season about your new look and new attitude. I know you're very disappointed about losing, obviously, against UCLA, but that's a great performance you had today. And do you at least, I would say, take some maybe even some pride or just feel good about the fact that you were able to showcase the hard work you put in this season?

QUAY MILLER: Yeah, this one stung, stings, because I know my team wanted it. And all season long we were doubted. So just to wake up the conference and wake up everyone, like, we're here to compete like any other team.

And just not being able to get this win just hurt because we all played hard. So to not come out with the dub is just a little bit hard.

Q. It's understandable. And following up a little bit on what you said earlier, if this is your final game this season, it sounds like you feel it's a good jumping off point for better things next season?

QUAY MILLER: For sure, definitely. I think the teams are woke now. I think the way we performed last night and tonight really showed teams that, like, we're not playing around. We're not a joke. So when they approach us, they need to put a little bit of respect on our name, because we're here to compete like any other team.

Q. Question in terms of your rebounding. I got the offensive congratulations in terms of that input, but how important was it for you to play both ends of the court today -- rebounding, shooting and defense?

QUAY MILLER: Very important. We pride ourselves on defense. So being able to guard whoever my coach tells me to guard is very big for me. I'm trying to get in there a little bit more rebounds or at least get in the way so my guards can get the rebound.

But I think once we execute on the defensive end that's when everything falls together on the offensive end for us.

Q. And can you just talk about the ball movement you all had during the game?

QUAY MILLER: Coming into this game, we were trying to upgrade from last night's game. So I think our ball movement is another significant key to our team. And without that, we don't really get as good of looks that we want. So being able to move the ball around make each other look good is important to us.

Q. Just the confidence you can take from this game in that you guys' multiple defense was able to offset, keep them in check in terms of what they want you to do on offense. How important is that for you guys? Just the way you ran multiple defenses at them, it looked like it had an effect on UCLA's offense.

QUAY MILLER: We like to shake it up. We never want to stay stagnant or comfortable. We also don't like our opponent's offense to get complacent. So we like to throw things at them. We'll run things that we haven't ran in five games just to throw them off.

So I like that about this team. And we get in it and we're on it and we know it. And we make sure we execute every defensive assignment that we can.

Q. You guys started off kind of slow in the first quarter. But in the second quarter you went on a 13-0 run. Can you explain what changed between those two quarters scheme wise or heart wise?

QUAY MILLER: I think what changed was we realized this wasn't the type of basketball we played prior to coming into this game. Coach told us that we needed to move the ball around and not try to do one-on-one things.

So realizing that that wasn't working for us, the one-on-one game, we just decided to start moving it around and get UCLA's offense -- or defense off balance.

Q. Could you just talk a little bit about Tameiya and just her composure in the tournament? Two games, 30 points, 10 assists, seven steals. Against Colorado she dished a career high eight assists. Just as a freshman coming in and complementing your game but at times controlling the tempo for your offense and being able to do so against a talented team like this really in both games. Just talk about her composure and poise for her first Pac-12 tournament.

QUAY MILLER: Playing with Tameiya, I thought -- we all thought her composure was phenomenal coming in, a freshman starting guard in one of the biggest tournaments out here.

I think she played to her ability and did what she can do. She didn't do too much. I think that in times when we feel like we're in a drought, Tameiya puts the team on her back, makes shots for us, pushes the break. So I think that's very -- that's something that she does well already.

And I just don't know what type of player she's going to be over the years as she improves in those areas.