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RUSTON, La. - Eric Konkol Post Prairie View A&M

Opening Statement:

"You always want to get off to a good start. We have stuck with the same starting lineup the past couple of games. We are trying to build a little continuity there. The guys got off to a good start. We executed on offense. We got a couple of turnovers that led to transition. That led to an early lead and we were able to hold it."

On improved defense:

"That is what we have talked to the team about. We are trying to become that defensive minded team, to get stops. We have to be able to play different styles of games. We have had some games that have been very up and down, with a heavy amount of possessions. We really focus on our points per possession. We want to be fewer than one and really at .9, if we can. We have had some stretches in games where we have been able to make people miss, get the rebound and get the numbers where we want them to be. We know we are going to be in some tough games, in tough environments in Conference USA."

On takeaways from the game:

"I really try to focus on the possessions. I thought there were moments tonight where we turned it over when we needed to take care of the basketball. You have to give Prairie View credit. They are 26th in the country in turning people over. They have turned a lot of people over. I want to handle that, because I know we are going to see that in Conference USA play. I was pleased with our effort and execution in the first half. I thought we were lacking in both areas in the second half. We had some different lineups out there, to take a look at. We wanted to give them some reps under game conditions. There were a lot of things to learn and work on."

On Alex Hamilton:

"I think he has grabbed ahold of this leadership role. He has taken a lot of responsibility. He has strung together many good practices. He is spending time before and after practice shooting. He is in a very good place mentally right now. He is very driven. He wants to have a great senior season and it is showing on the floor."