Knight girls lose to No. 12 Celina

Van Wert independent sports

CONVOY — It was youth versus experience when the young Crestview Lady Knights met the senior-laden Celina Bulldogs on Tuesday night, and, as often happens, age and experience triumphed via a 60-42 Celina win in Ray Etzler Gymnasium.

The key to the loss was the Bulldogs’ defense, coupled with Crestview’s inability to keep a handle on the basketball. Celina forced the Knights into 23 turnovers while only committing seven miscues and also outrebounded Crestview 25-20, including 11 offensive boards.

The Knights actually shot better than Celina, but had far fewer shot opportunities because of the turnovers and the Bulldogs’ offensive rebounds. Crestview was 16 of 31 from the field (51.6 percent), including 5 of 10 from three-point range (50 percent). The Knights made 5 of 6 free throws (83.3 percent). Celina was 23 of 54 (42.6 percent) from the field, including 4 of 12 from beyond the arc (33.3 percent) and made 10 of 14 free throws (71.4 percent).

The Lady Bulldogs led by just a point, 16-15, after the end of the first period, but the next two quarters would be Crestview’s downfall, as Celina outscored the Knights 30-8 to take a commanding 23-point lead, 46-23, at the three-quarter mark.

Crestview rallied in the final stanza, outscoring the Bulldogs 19-14 in the period, but Celina’s lead was too great to overcome in a single quarter.

With the loss, the Knights fall to 17-2 on the season, while Celina, ranked No. 12 in Division III, are also 17-2 on the year.

Crestview was led offensively by Mackenzie Riggenbach’s 14 points, while Lindsey Motycka added 12 points for the Knights and Emily Bauer had 8 points in the game. For the Bulldogs, Katie Stahl was the top scorer with 15 points, while Hillary Helby added 13 points and Kylee Bader scored 10 for Celina.

The Knight junior varsity team won 31-30 over Celina.

Crestview will try and rebound from the loss to Celina on Thursday in an away game at Northwest Conference opponent Bluffton.