Cougars 60, Oral Roberts 76

Posted: November 22, 2011 -- 11:30 p.m. CT.

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- The 2011-2012 season continues to be an agonizing one for the Houston Cougars. The Cougars lost to Oral Roberts 76-60 Tuesday night; but, the Cougars lost another player to injury. In fact, during the second half, Todd Buchanan's team only had seven healthy players.

Despite the limited number of players, thirty-one turnovers and an inability to get back on defense quickly doomed the Cougars to a fourth straight loss to start the season.

"Every time you think it's getting better, we shoot ourselves in the foot," Houston head coach Todd Buchanan lamented after the game. "It's so hard to know that what we do and work on in practice does not carry over into game situations.

"We had 31 turnovers tonight; against, basically, a non-pressing team. I would dare say after we go back and chart the film that 20 of the turnovers were do to us. Not them. That's how you lose basketball games."

Oral Roberts (5-0) scored the first five points in the game; and, the Cougars (0-4) fought an uphill battle the rest of the game.

Houston freshman post Terran Alford tied a school-record by pulling down a game-high 20 rebounds; but Alford was not pleased with her team's loss nor the way some of her teammates responded.

"It's just a little frustrating. I feel like we always kick it into the next gear in the second half when it's too late."

One of Houston's major problems throughout the game was an inability (or an unwillingness) to hustle back on defense.

As a result of the slow-foot speed / lack of hustle by the Coogs, the Oral Roberts players took turns scoring layups after made baskets. ORU tallied a total of 24 fast break points and 31 points off of turnovers.

"That's just plain getting back on defense. Hustle. Sprint the floor," said Roxana Button.

Coach Buchanan added, "It's just absolutely mind boggling to see how many layups they got. For a minute it almost looked like (ORU) was in a drill and not a basketball game. That's the most embarrassing part of it for me."

Roxana Button, Houston senior guard, scored a game-high 27 points; but, Button also committed a game-high 13 turnovers.

"The 13 turnovers completely outweighs the 27 points," Button said. "I don't know what to say about that except that that can't happen ever again."

Button admits suffering four straight losses is frustrating.

"It's frustrating. To be 0-4?! I don't when the last was I lost four games in a row. Two games in a row at that. It's frustrating. We have to put it behind us and look forward to the next game."

The Cougars host the inaugural David Jones Classic this Friday and Saturday. The Coogs play Yale this Friday, November 25, at approximately 7p.m.

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