Cougars lose first game of season

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

A sloppy game against Western Buckeye League rival Celina cost the Van Wert Cougars not only their perfect season record, but sole possession of first place in the league.

The Cougars struggled offensively, missing layup after layup and squandering fast-break attempts when the ball was either not caught by its intended target or thrown out of bounds, but still took the Bulldogs into overtime before losing 60-57 for their first loss of the season.

It also didn’t help that four Van Wert players were in foul trouble during the game, with Joe Moonshower fouling out and three other Cougar players with four fouls by the end of the game

Celina got out to a 15-10 first-quarter lead and were up by 9 points, 34-25, at the half. Van Wert rallied, though, outscoring the Bulldogs 11-3 in the third quarter to trail by just a point, 37-36, heading into the fourth period.

The Cougars had their chances to win in regulation, as they led 42-39 early in the quarter and saw the lead seesaw back and forth through most of the quarter before ending in a 54-all tie when the buzzer sounded.

Celina then converted on free throw attempts in overtime to take the win.

Van Wert’s Corey Clifton led all scorers with 20 points, including 6 of 7 at the foul line, while Jake Myers added 19 points for the Cougars. The Bulldogs had three players in double figures: Greg Riemesch and Clay Hoying with 15 points and Nate Bihn with 13 markers.

Celina was on fire from the field, hitting 12 of 17 two-point attempts in the first half (70.6 percent) and ending with a 60.7 percent two-point shooting percentage from two-point range (17 of 28). The Bulldogs hit only 2 of 12 three-pointers (16.7 percent), however, and didn’t shoot as well from the line as Van Wert, hitting 20 of 32 attempts (62.5 percent), but made more free throws because they had more opportunities.

The Cougars hit 18 of 36 two-point attempts (50 percent) and were 2 of 7 from three-point range (28.6 percent). Van Wert made 15 of 20 attempts from the charity stripe (75 percent).

And, while the Cougars didn’t take care of the ball very well, committing 17 turnovers in the game, Celina wasn’t far behind with 15 miscues on the night. The taller Bulldogs outrebounded Van Wert, bringing down 27 caroms to 18 for the Cougars.

With the loss, Van Wert is now 10-1 overall and 3-1 in league play, while the Bulldogs are 9-2 overall and 3-1 in the league. Both teams are now in a five-way tie for first place with Defiance, Elida and Ottawa-Glandorf.

The Cougar now have two non-conference games in a row, playing Bryan tonight and meeting Kalida on Tuesday, with both of those contests being held in the Cougar’s Den.

The Van Wert junior varsity team was victorious on Friday, beating the Bulldog JVs 39-28. Chad Phillips led the junior Cougars, who are now 8-3 on the year, with 12 points.