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UT Arlington at BYU
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 * Provo, Utah
Postgame Quotes

UTA Head Coach Scott Cross
"I thought we played really, really well on both ends of the floor. We have been playing really well offensively, but we weren't very good on defense and rebounding. I think we picked it up today. Sometimes it is just the little things. A guy has a little more knee bend, getting their hands up a little higher. I think our guys did those things. It started when big Link (Kabadyundi), our 7-foot-1 guy dove on the floor. That kind of changed the game. It rubbed off on the rest of our guys and they played a little harder. We were a little grittier tonight than we were in our previous game. I'm proud of them. Offensively, we hit some tough shots. (BYU) plays really good defense. I definitely thought they were betting at defending us this game than they were in the previous game. I think we just hit tough shots, especially in the first half.

"(Preparing for today's game) was similar (to last year) because we knew we were going to have to play our best basketball. I think we were pretty close for 32-33 minutes. We knew it was going to take that. We watched them on film. They are doing a great job defensively. They have shooters all the way around. They are well coached. We knew we are going to have to play our best. Fortunately, our guys brought their A game.

"BYU has unbelievable home court advantage. At the beginning of the game, (the crowd) energizes everybody. Our guys need energy at times. When they start hitting shots, it can drain a team. Luckily, for the majority of the game, we were able to hit shots and keep them contained. (The crowd) is intimidating, for sure."

Senior Guard Erick Neal
"I like the crowd. It gives me energy and keeps me going. The electricity is amazing. I use the crowd as energy to boost the way I play. I love playing here.

"(Tonight) we picked it up on defense. Link started off with the dive on the floor at the beginning of the game. After Link did that, everyone was just flying around getting to the shooters. We got open looks. Basically, we played hard and played for each other.

"We were moving the ball. Everyone was having fun and playing together. It gives us confidence. I feel like we are locked-in. That first game, we didn't do too well on defense. But, we won. This game, we really locked-up, sat down on the floor, slapped the floor a few times. Defense means a lot to us."