Cougs fall a basket short at Elida

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports writer

ELIDA — Consistency was not a hallmark of Friday night’s Western Buckeye League game between Van Wert and Elida. The game was characterized by large lead swings, but the Bulldogs’ Dakota Mathias popped a 12-footer at the buzzer as Elida edged the Cougars 62-60 in WBL play.

With the loss, Van Wert drops to 6-4 overall and 2-1 in the WBL. The Bulldogs go to 8-3 overall and 3-0 in league play.

Elida jumped out quickly and led by 11 points, 19-8, at the end of the first quarter. The Cougars outscored Elida 22-16 in the second quarter and trailed by five points, 35-30, at the half. The Bulldogs upped the lead back to 11 as they outscored Van Wert 17-11 in the third quarter, and it was a free-for-all in the final stanza as the Cougars rallied for a 19-9 fourth quarter to take it down to the wire.

Van Wert had three players in double figures, led by AJ Smith’s 17 points. Joey Hurless added 16 points while Connor Holliday had 15 points for the Cougars. For Elida, Austin Allemeier led with 21 points, while Mathias added 18 points and Ebin Stratton had 9 points for the Bulldogs.

Van Wert hit 18 of 32 two-point attempts (56.3 percent) and was 4 of 14 from three-point range (28.6 percent). The Cougars made 12 of 13 free throws on the night (92.3 percent).

Elida was 16 of 27 from two-point range (59.3 percent) and made 9 of 22 three-point attempts (40.9 percent). The Bulldogs were 3 of 4 from the foul line (75 percent).

The two teams were even on rebounds, both with 26, while Van Wert had three fewer turnovers, 11 of 14.

In the early contest, the Cougar junior varsity team lost its first game of the year, 51-48, to Elida. Drew Myers scored 15 points to lead the Cougar JVs, while Brant Henry added 10 points. Clark Etzler led Elida with 18 points, while Trent Kutup scored 15 for the Bulldogs.

Van Wert will take on Midwest Athletic Conference rival Marion Local tonight at Maria Stein.