Michelle White and the Cougars hope to bounce back after dropping their season opener 63-62 to New Mexico State. | Joshua Siegel/The Daily Cougar
Head coach Todd Buchanan is prepared to do just about anything to get the Cougars their first win of the season today against No. 25 Texas Tech.
“If we have to throw in the kitchen sink, the refrigerator and the microwave, that’s what we’re going to do,” he said.
The Cougars (0-1) are trying to bounce back after a 63-62 loss to New Mexico State at Hofheinz Pavilion.
“The first thing is we’ve really tried to get their confidence back,” Buchanan said. “I think the other night was such a heartbreaking loss with it being a lot of their first college game and experience. I felt like damage control in the heart and the soul might be the foremost thing to try and accomplish, and I feel like we’ve done that for the most part.”
The Cougars fell to the Aggies despite a career-high 37 points from senior point guard Porsche Landry. UH shot just 1-19 from beyond the arc, and 10-41 from the field minus Landry.
“I’m pretty sure it will get better,” Landry said. “Rox (Button) and (Tasha) Tubbs, they’re pretty good shooters. They probably just fell into the shooter’s slump. They’ve been getting in the gym, so I’m pretty sure it won’t be like that tomorrow.”
The Red Raiders might prove to be a handful for the Cougars in the paint, as they feature an impressive group of veteran forwards led by 6’3 Kierra Mallard.
Last season Mallard led the Red Raiders in scoring (12.0), rebounding (7.2) and blocked shots (1.9).
The Cougars will also be tasked with taking on 6’3 Shauntal Nobles, 6’2 Ebony Walker and 6’2 Jordan Barncastle.
In the Cougars’ loss to the Aggies, they were out-rebounded 47-35 with the 5’5 Landry leading UH with seven boards.
“We all know we let one get away,” Buchanan said. “So what’s a better opportunity to redeem ourselves, but to not only win a great home game and defend our home court, but to also get a piece of knocking a top-25 team off in the country?
“It’s a win in every way. It’s a way you earn respect. Obviously, with such a young crew, nothing would be better.”
Landry said she is ready to take on the Red Raiders.
“Texas Tech is just a name,” she said. “They’re still girls. That’s how I look at it. I hope the team looks at it like that and they come out ready to play.”
