With losses piling up and improvements few and far between, frustration is mounting for the Dolores High School boys basketball team.

Bears lose in Ouray

Kicking off last week's play against Ouray on Feb. 7, the Bears struggled from start to finish, losing 70-41 on the road.

Keying the Dolores demise were 17 first-half turnovers, which allowed Ouray to score countless easy buckets and build a 36-16 halftime lead.

"We took ourselves out of the game by halftime," said Bears' head coach Larry Schwartz.

Plagued by similar turnover problems throughout the second half, the Bears were outscored 34-25 over the game's final two quarters.

"You can't turn it over that much and win a game," said Schwartz.

Bears blasted by Telluride

Hoping to right the ship against Telluride on Feb. 8, the Bears were again plagued by turnovers, losing 66-31 away from home.

Struggling to run an offensive system early, the Bears fell behind 15-2 after one quarter and 36-9 entering the half.

"We came out and were going to stall," said Schwartz. "We couldn't execute our game plan."

Bears fall to Dove Creek

Hoping that this week might produce better results than last, the Bulldogs travelled to Dove Creek on Feb. 11, only to lose again, this time by a score of 54-45.

Keying the Dolores downfall was the team's inability to contain Dove Creek point guard Jordan Ernst, who, slicing through the Bears' defense, put his team ahead 27-17 entering the half.

"We let Ernst penetrate too much," said Schwartz. "He's good at dishing it to their big guys, and they killed us inside."

Also aiding the Dove Creek cause were 17 first-half turnovers by the Bears, which led to easy buckets.

"We're averaging 30 turnovers a game," said a clearly frustrated Schwartz.

Hoping to turn things around and improve on their 4-12 record, the Bears will next play on the raod against Ridgway on Feb. 14.