2026 PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

March 4, 2026

Katrina Merriweather

Mya Perry

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Cincinnati Bearcats

Postgame Press Conference

Kansas State - 91, Cincinnati - 66

THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Katrina Merriweather and student-athlete Mya Perry. An opening statement from Coach.

KATRINA MERRIWEATHER: The game, unfortunately, for us got out of hand, and it got out of hand because we allowed them to see the rim, and it got wider and wider. Before you know it, everybody is shooting, everybody is scoring.

I'm always proud of our effort. I don't think we ever fold. I think we always fight back. I thought that Mya in particular, who has never given up all year no matter the circumstances, continued to lead that charge. I thought we tried to follow and just didn't make enough shots.

Ultimately, the adversity this team has been through and has gone through even today, I'm very proud of them.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. What was kind of the biggest thing that you feel like you guys let up to let them start hitting so much?

KATRINA MERRIWEATHER: It was Taryn Sides. We knew it. The truth is we can talk to our kids about you got to guard this person, got to guard that person, but Kansas State has multiple people that you have to guard and respect at that 3-point line.

No matter how much we say, don't let her go, don't let her go, in their head they're thinking but this girl is open and this one is open. You take one false step or don't get out there and touch the ball on the catch, then you got threes being made in your face, and it's tournament time, and players make plays.

Q. Defensively, K-State threw a press at you for a lot of the game. How much did that pressure kind of disrupt what you guys wanted to do offensively?

KATRINA MERRIWEATHER: I think we're pretty much used to being press. I thought we did a good job handling it. I thought once we got past the press, though, that we didn't attack aggressively enough. The first quarter we didn't shoot one free throw, and we score 15 points a game from the free-throw line.

I think that there's two factors there, but the one that we could control would be us not being aggressive and getting into the paint. So I think that that was more of the issue than the actual press itself.

Q. Then, Mya, your coach mentioned the fight that you guys had, even when you were down double digits. Can you kind of talk about your mindset whenever you're down and you're still having to fight and scrap to stay in it?

MYA PERRY: I think the biggest thing is this team will always have fight, no matter what it is. We show up all the time, and we just compete for each other.

Although we fell short, they'll be a great team next year. I won't be a part of it, but I'm very excited to see the things that they're able to do next year and the fight that they will have with the leadership that I had this year.

Q. Mya, 23 points, four of seven from the 3-point line. Got to the free-throw line. For you individually what were you feeling out there? I felt you were really confident. What was working for you?

MYA PERRY: Again, just going out there, playing my game like I have the whole season. This to me was just another game. It meant a lot, meaning that, like, it could be my last game, but just going out there and, again, having my leadership that I do, having the confidence from my teammates. They keep me going.

Q. I guess this is for both of you. Really touching moment at the end of the game there. Brought the former player out of me. That moment I flashed back to in my career. How was that moment if you want to share?

(Zoom audio disruption.)

KATRINA MERRIWEATHER: (Zoom audio disruption) -- like Mya who believed in you and came and joined our team and what she's done for our team and our program and for me. That's what I told her. (Zoom audio disruption) -- of Mya Perry. (Zoom audio disruption) -- in my entire ten years of being a head coach, and to have to come up with things to get her open or to keep the team going when people are full-on denying her.

I just told her how much I appreciated her, and if she sat down, they were going to put the camera in her face, so just stand next to me, and I'll stand in front of her.

Q. For people who might have tuned in for the first time and are getting an opportunity to see you on this stage, both Mya and Coach, what is Cincinnati women's basketball about, the sisterhood, and the direction this program is going? A lot of the young talent that you have on this team and, Mya, the legacy that you are leaving with this team, what can people expect moving forward?

MYA PERRY: I feel like people can expect to have a home and a family, no matter what it is. The sisterhood means a lot. It means more than just being teammates. We really are family outside of the court.

I just think it's a really big thing with the freshmen being able to go into sophomore year knowing that Trina will always make sure you're okay, whatever it is.

They're going to be strong and ready for whatever attacks them their sophomore year. They're going to be ready for their leadership role, as I have with my year with my leadership that I did this year.

KATRINA MERRIWEATHER: As far as this team is moving forward, I know that we will be better for them having played with Mya. She set the standard. She gave them the expectation, what it looks like to be in the gym, to be committed, to be competitive and fiery and to never give up. That's going to last a lot longer than the year that she played with us.