Knights edge Jefferson in NWC battle

Van Wert independent sports

CONVOY — It was a tough fight, but the Crestview Knights overcame a scrappy Delphos Jefferson squad to edge the Wildcats 56-52 in Northwest Conference action on Friday.

The Knights had a two-point advantage, 18-16, at the end of the first quarter, but Jefferson outscored Crestview 18-15 in the second period to take a one-point lead, 34-33, into the locker room at halftime.

It was a tie ballgame at the end of three quarters after the Knights went on a 14-13 run in the third stanza, while some timely three-pointers in the fourth quarter were the difference in the game. In fact, Crestview was 7 of 14 (50 percent) in the game from behind the arc, a statistic that was crucial to the Knights’ winning the game.

Crestview shot well from the field, making 18 of 31 field goal attempts overall (58.1 percent). The Wildcats made 22 of 39 field goal attempts (56.4 percent) and were 6 of 14 (42.9 percent) from behind the arc.

The Knights also made their free throws, hitting 13 of 15 during the game (86.7 percent).

Connor Lautzenheiser led the Knights with 30 points, while Cody Mefferd added 14 points for Crestview. Jefferson had three players in double figures, led by Trey Smith’s 18 points. Jace Stockwell scored 16 points for the Wildcats, while Dalton Hicks added 10 points for Jefferson.

With the win, Crestview is now 6-3 overall and 2-0 in the NWC. The Wildcats are 6-5 overall and 0-2 in league play.

The Knights lost the junior varsity game, 43-37.