Cougar girls win, Lancers lose to Ada

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

It was a dogfight for three quarters, but the Van Wert Lady Cougars finally pulled away in the final period to defeat Defiance, 34-26, to win their first Western Buckeye League contest of the year.

With the win, the Cougars are now 4-11 overall and 1-5 in the WBL, while Defiance falls to 0-6 in the league and 0-14 overall.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter, with Van Wert eking out a 5-4 lead at the end of the quarter. The second quarter was similar, but reversed, as both Defiance outscored the Cougars 8-6 to take a one-point lead at the half, 12-11.

The Bulldogs took their lead to a basket, 17-15, as the fourth quarter started, but then Van Wert’s offense began to click as the Cougars pumped in 19 points in the final period to Defiance’s 9 points to seal the victory.

Molly Gamble again led Van Wert with 12 points, including 4 of 4 from the free-throw line, while Alex Morrow and Ashley Mohr both scored 8 points for the Cougars, with Morrow also 4 for 4 from the line. Sadie Daeger was the only Bulldog player in double figures, with 12 points.

The Cougars will next play Lima Central Catholic in Lima on Tuesday, February 1. Game time is 6 p.m.

The Lincolnview Lady Lancers didn’t fare as well as their county colleagues, losing to Ada 52-42 in a Northwest Conference girls’ basketball game at Lincolnview.

Lincolnview got off to a good start, outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 14-7 in the first quarter, but Ada cut the lead to 5 points in the second quarter to trail 25-20 heading into the locker room at halftime.

The second half was a different story as Ada dominated the Lady Lancers, outscoring the locals 32-17 to secure the league victory.

Lincolnview was led by Abbi Alvarez, who was the only Lancer player in double figures, with 10 points. Audrey Bowen and Carley Springer added 8 points for Lincolnview, while Katie Dye contributed 7 points to the Lancer total. Ada was led by Joliff’s 16 points, while Willeke had 14 points for the Bulldogs.

The Lancers shot well from the field, hitting 17 of 33 for 51.5 percent, but lost the game at the free-throw line, as Ada had 25 opportunities at the charity stripe and converted 19 of them (76 percent), while Lincolnview made 7 of 14 attempts (50 percent).

The Lancers outrebounded Ada 18-13, but had 17 turnovers to 12 for the Bulldogs. Lincolnview also led in steals, 6-4.

With the loss, the Lancers fall to 0-6 in the Northwest Conference and 3-11 overall, while Ada is now 2-4 in league play and 4-11 overall.

Lincolnview will next play on Tuesday, February 1, at Spencerville in a league match-up against the Lady Bearcats.