Cougs again disappointing in WBL loss

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

It was another disappointing game for the Van Wert Cougars as they lost a heartbreaker, 44-39, against Western Buckeye League opponent Wapakoneta on Friday in the Cougar’s Den.

With top scorers AJ Smith and Joey Hurless, both seniors, held to 8 and 7 points, respectively, underclassmen had to step it up, as sophomore Connor Holliday led Van Wert with 11 points and junior Matt Bidlack added 10 markers for the Cougars. The Redskins were led by Jake Buzzard’s 16 points, while Alex Greve added 10 points for Wapak.

Both teams scored 10 points in the first quarter, but Van Wert outscored the Redskins 12-6 to take a six-point lead, 22-16, at the half. Wapak turned it around a bit in the third, though, going on an 18-14 run to trail by just two, 36-34, heading into the final period of play.

That’s when the bottom fell out for the Cougars, who scored only 3 points in the final quarter, while Wapakoneta canned 10 to win the game. For Van Wert, it was a failure to hit free throws and easy field goals and an inability to take care of the ball that led to its ninth defeat in 18 games. The Cougars are now 9-9 overall and 2-5 in the WBL. Wapakoneta is 11-7 overall and 4-3 in league play.

Van Wert hit just 2 of 13 free throws in the game (15.4 percent), while the Redskins canned 9 of 11 from the charity stripe (81.8 percent). The Cougars were much better from two-point range, making 11 of 20 (55 percent), but also missed some “bunny” shots that should have gone in. Van Wert was 5 of 19 from beyond the arc (26.3 percent). Wapakoneta made 13 of 31 two-point attempts (41.9 percent) and was 3 of 7 from three-point range (42.9 percent).

Both teams were about even on rebounds and turnovers, although Wapak had the edge on the boards (19-18) and in turnovers (9-10).

The Cougar junior varsity team continued its winning ways, though, but got a scare before edging the Redskin JVs 44-43 in the opening contest. With the victory, Van Wert is now 17-1 on the year. Drew Myers of Van Wert led all scorers with 14 points, while Keaton Metz was Wapak’s top scorer with 13 counters.

The Cougars are back in action tonight with a non-conference road game at St. Henry.