BIG 12 CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

March 5, 2025

Katrina Merriweather

Reagan Jackson

T-Mobile Center

Cincinnati Bearcats

Postgame Press Conference

Arizona State - 82, Cincinnati - 75

THE MODERATOR: We are joined by Cincinnati Head Coach Katrina Merriweather and Reagan Jackson, Coach?

KATRINA MERRIWEATHER: The obvious is that I am incredibly disappointed in the forty minutes that we played. I thought the energy and effort that we had the second half was something that we should begin the game with. I think when you come into postseason in tournament play, you have to show up, and we had too many players who were not prepared to do that. Missing 13 free throws, getting outrebounded was not something I thought we would show up and do today, and it was very hard to overcome.

With that being said, everything that Natasha and Arizona State has gone through in regards to their injuries showed a lot of heart. Very happy for her and her team. We have to figure out a way to start better. And I think last but not least, trying to add Alliance Ndiba back into our lineup is something I will have to evaluate in my decision to do that in conference time

Q. Coach, can you take a minute to reflect on your season, this team, what's it been like for you, second year in the Big 12 and how the season has been for you as a whole?

KATRINA MERRIWEATHER: I think that will be easier for me once we are out of the weeds. I think there is a chance we are still playing in the postseason. Thus far, I do believe we have a team that has taken strides. I think we have had big accomplishments as a group that brought back very little offensive productivity, and the transfers that we added play a big part in what we are doing. These injuries and ins and outs sometimes just didn't allow us to have some of the continuity that I thought we would have if we had stayed healthy this year.

But then I also think about briefly what the future can look like. Reagan is a sophomore. She played tremendous today, and I'm excited for the next couple of years for her. But, again, our plan and hope is that our season isn't over.

Q. Following up, Reagan is only a sophomore. So how excited are you about the future of this program, and what has Reagan meant to you as an addition to this team?

KATRINA MERRIWEATHER: You asked me? I thought you were asking her about her. I was like, Reagan talk about yourself!

I think when you return people year-to-year, it helps you instill your culture, and I think that that's where when you see our lapses, our defensive system breakdown and things like that, those are just the pieces. Our recruiting class we are excited about. Our reality is the same as everybody else's reality. You try to make it through the postseason and play as hard and well as you can and hope that people stick around and that then you can find the pieces that you need in order to take steps forward.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.