UTEP Miners too much for Houston Cougars

Posted: February 19, 2012 -- 5:52 p.m. CT.

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- The Houston Cougars played hard Sunday afternoon; but, the UTEP Miners played harder and better. The Miners defeated the Cougars 71-51 in front of a partisan crowd of 564 fans. More Miners' fans attended the game than Cougars' fans; and, the UTEP players gave their fans reasons to cheer and earned a share of the Conference USA regular season title.

"We can't give up 43 of their 71 points in two areas of the game (22 points off turnovers and 21 second-chance points) and still have a realistic chance to win," said Houston head coach Todd Buchanan.

Houston senior guard Roxana Button scored a game-high 20 points on 6 for 16 shooting; but, Button didn't receive much help from her teammates. Freshman Amanda Lawson was the only other UH player to reach double-digits. Lawson scored 12.

The Cougars (2-23 overall, 1-12 in Conference USA) did a decent job causing the Miners (24-2, 13-0) to miss their first shot attempt numerous times; however, the Miners dominated the glass with 23 offensive rebounds and 52 total rebounds. The Cougars only pulled down 26 boards.

Neither team shot the ball well in the game. The Cougars shot 32.6 percent (15 for 46); and, the Miners shot 37.1 percent (26 for 70).

Sunday's 20 point loss to the Miners was much better than 44 point (87-43) shellacking the Coogs received in El Paso last month on January 22.

"I thought we did a decent job guarding the perimeter and their three-point shooters (Miners shot 3 for 19 today) -- unlike we did at their place," Buchanan added.

Gloria Brown led four Miners in double-digits with 14 points.

The Cougars' next game is Thursday, February 23, at city rival, Rice. Tip is set for 7pm. The Coogs lost to the Owls 58-50 on January 28.

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