UCLA Q

The view from the UCLA locker room:

FROM GUARD TOBY BAILEY

Q: Did you fully comprehend what was going on in the second half?

A: We understood. Jelani [McCoy] was out, J.R. [Henderson] had four fouls. They kept jamming the ball inside on us. That’s what we do to other teams, get the ball inside and overpower people. They did to us what we do to other teams.

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FROM SIXTH MAN KRIS JOHNSON

Q: What surprised you the most about the game?

A: We all thought we’d be in the game at the finish. We made a strong run and they answered with a run. That is why they are a good team.

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FROM TRAINER TONY SPINO

Q: Injury-wise, how close was this team all year to this sort of situation, with McCoy’s injury possibly costing the team the game?

A: I felt we kept things patched together pretty well all year, with Bob Myers’ shoulder and Kris Johnson’s ankle, both possibly needing surgery. But today, that pretty much broke us.

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FROM JELANI MCCOY

Q: What was said afterward in the locker room?

A: We were told to keep our heads high, that we lost this one today, but that we learned lots of lessons in life this season.

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FROM COACH STEVE LAVIN

Q: Can you sum up the impact of McCoy’s injury on today’s game?

A: I knew when he went out, they were going to pound it inside, and they did. It’s just another example of them being a very well-coached team.