PITTSBURGH — The scowl on the face of Butler girls basketball coach Dorothea Epps told the whole story.

“Turnover after turnover after turnover,” Epps said. “To come out here and put on a performance like this at this point of the season, it's embarrassing, really.”

Butler was going up against undefeated Oakland Catholic, but the Golden Tornado made it exceedingly easy for the Eagles to stay that way with 30 turnovers in a 51-24 road loss Monday night.

“The only thing I can say is we keep handing teams games,” Epps said. “We're in that game if we don't hand the ball over.”

Butler's defense played well enough to win, holding its Section 3-AAAA foe to just eight points in the first quarter and 21 in the first half.

The problem was, the Golden Tornado couldn't score themselves. It was a struggle for them at times to merely get a shot off against the quick and athletic Eagles.

“We always say we want our defense to create our offense,” said Oakland Catholic coach Shannon Boyle.

And her defense did just that. Eventually, as the turnovers mounted, Oakland Catholic (21-0, 12-0) was able to pull away.

The Eagles opened the second half on an 18-3 run to take a 39-14 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Butler (6-14, 3-8) committed 30 turnovers in the game to nullify a zone defense that slowed Oakland Catholic down for two quarters.

“It's hard to play teams in a zone,” Boyle said. “Butler is a bigger team and they are rough and tough. When they sag off of you and you really can't use your speed to your advantage, you need players to step up and hit big shots.”

Oakland Catholic got some of those shots from its deep bench.

Madi Caufield hit two 3-pointers as did Corey Taglianetti.

The Eagles didn't have a player reach double figures, but had 12 players make at least one basket.

Rachel Vigliotti led Oakland Catholic with eight points. Gibsonia native and senior point guard Jess Mrdjenovich added seven points.

Butler, too, didn't have a player score in double digits. Mackenzie O'Donnell led the Tornado with seven points.

Oakland Catholic needs only a victory against 18-0 Seton-La Salle Saturday to complete a perfect regular season.

Butler only wishes to end the season Thursday against Seneca Valley better than it played Monday.

“We want to see what kind of character they are made out of,” Epps said. “Are they fighters? Or are they just going to throw the season away and say, ‘I'm done?'”

BUTLER 24Jasmine Bailey 0-4 0-0 0, Sam Marak 0-1 0-0 0, Julia Baxter 2-7 0-0 4, Mackenzie O'Donnell 3-7 1-2 7, Alyssa DiPippa 2-6 1-2 5, Jen Barry 0-0 0-2 0, Makenzie Huey 0-1 0-0 0, Morgan McLaughlin 0-1 0-0 0, Natalie Barkus 1-5 3-4 5, Kalynn Callihan 1-2 0-0 2, Laueren Bresnahan 0-0 0-0 0, Romi Guiney 0-0 0-0 0.

Totals: 9-34 2-10 24.

OAKLAND CATHOLIC 51Jess Mrdjenobich 3-10 1-1 7, Rachel Vigliotti 2-2 3-5 8, Iffie Iwazie 1-2 0-0 2, Chrissy Berenato 0-0 2-2 2, Audra Phibbs 1-3 1-2 3, Bobbi Baker 3-8 1-2 7, Corey Taglianetti 2-2 0-0 6, Nicole Johnson 0-1 0-2 0, Mara Fitzgerald 1-0 2-2 4, Rachel Kroner 0-1 0-0 0, Paige Bianchin 1-1 0-0 2, Jada Epps 1-3 0-0 2, Madi Caufield 2-3 0-0 6, Taylor McCorkle 1-1 0-0 2.

Totals: 18-46 10-16 51.

Butler 5 6 3 10—24Oakland Catholic 8 13 13 17—513-point goals: Butler 1 (Callihan); Oakland Catholic 5 (Vigliotti, Taglianetti 2, Caufield 2).

JV Score: Oakland Catholic 42-19

Thursday: Seneca Valley at Butler