Cavaliers too much for Van Wert girls

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

It wasn’t the Van Wert Lady Cougars’ night as Coldwater’s pressure defense and balanced scoring led to a lopsided 81-36 victory for the Lady Cavaliers.

The game started out positive for Van Wert as the Lady Cougars stayed close to Coldwater, trailing by just 5 points, 20-15, at the end of the first period.

But Coldwater’s size inside — especially with the Cougars playing without the injured Alexis Dowdy — was crucial in the Cavaliers’ scoring advantage throughout the rest of the game.

In the second quarter, Coldwater’s offense got untracked and its defense put the pressure on the Cougars, leading to a 23-8 disadvantage for Van Wert, which trailed by 20 points, 43-23, at the half.

It didn’t get any better in the third quarter, with the Cavaliers outscoring Van Wert 16-11 to take a 25-point advantage, 59-34, heading into the final period of play.

The fourth quarter was arguably the best one for Coldwater, which poured in 22 points, while holding the Cougars to just 2 points in the period.

The Lady Cavs had four players in double figures led by Hannah Bruns and Lauren Leugers’ 16 points apiece. Brooke Welsch scored 15 points for Coldwater, while Kanney added 10 points for the Cavaliers.

Erin Morrow was the only Cougar in double figures, with 15 points on the night.

Coldwater was 33 of 64 from the field (51.6 percent), and made 12 of 17 free throws (70.6 percent). The Cougars made just 9 of 48 field goal attempts (18.8 percent) and were 16 of 34 from the line (47.1 percent).

With the loss, Van Wert falls to 2-6 overall, while the Lady Cavs are now 5-3 on the year.

The Cougar junior varsity team also lost, 48-31, and is now 4-4 overall on the season.