Houston Cougars routed by Marshall 65-41 in conference opener

Posted: January 5, 2012 -- 10:37 p.m. CT.

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- The Houston Cougars lost 65-41 to Marshall Thursday night in the 2012 Conference USA opener for both teams. The Cougars (1-12 overall, 0-1) shot 24.6% (14 for 57) from the field while the Thundering Herd (10-3, 1-0) shot 30.0% (18 for 60).

Think about that for a moment...

The Coogs lost by 24 points to a team that shot thirty percent.

Houston Cougars head coach Todd Buchanan took a few moments to gather his thoughts before he spoke to the media after the game. Once Buchanan was ready to speak he was quite candid.

"My thoughts on the game are that I'm failing as a basketball coach," Buchanan lamented. "It's completely just ripping my guts out."

Buchanan credited his coaching staff for doing a solid job preparing the players.

"I feel like I have the best staff in the country. I know I do; and to watch them and us work endlessly and put the time and effort to do what we do with a 15 to 20 page scouting report -- which we even lessened because we were afraid it's too much. And, nothing, nothing to this point seems to work on a consistent basis. That's on me. That's on me every day. Every minute of every day.

"It literally eats away at me because I've never been in a situation where I've not had kids respond the way this group has not responded to this point."

The Cougars trailed Marshall 34-20 at halftime; but, Marshall outscored Houston 12 to 6 in the first three minutes and 28 seconds of the second half to lead by twenty (46-26). The Cougars trailed by as much as 27 points (57-30) in the second half; however, Houston senior Roxana Button made three 3 point shots during an 11-0 run to trim the Cougars' deficit to 57-41 with 6:40 remaining in the game.

The Cougars did not score a single point the rest of the ball game.

Button led the Coogs with 22 points; but, she made only 7 of her 25 field goal attempts.

Coach Buchanan said, "My heart bleeds for Roxana Button. Absolutely bleeds for Roxana Button. That kid is as gutty a kid as I've coached in 23 years.

"All we need is four more (players), and really three to a certain point, to buy in and say, 'Hey, you know what? I'm going with Rox; and, we're going to get this thing turned around and get this thing done.' "

The Cougars will practice on Friday and prepare for a road game Sunday afternoon versus Southern Miss.

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