Crestview ‘D’ trumps Van Wert girls’ ‘O’

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Van Wert Lady Cougars and Crestview Lady Knights met in a non-conference game that was more one-sided than usual, as the Knights’ defense triumphed to give Crestview a 44-27 win.

After the Lady Cougars got off to a four-point lead, 8-4, in the first quarter, the Crestview defense ratcheted down a notch, allowing the Knights to outscore the Cougars, 13-4, and gain a five-point lead, 17-12, at the half.

The Knights continued to dominate, both offensively and defensively, in the second half, outscoring Van Wert 27-15 in the half en route to the relatively easy victory.

The Cougars had just one player in double figures, senior Erin Morrow, who had 12 points, including a 4-for-5 performance at the free-throw line. The closest player to Morrow was Alexis Dowdy, who had 7 points in the game.

Crestview had two players in double figures, led by Emily Bauer’s game-high 14 points. Lindsey Motycka added 12 points for the Lady Knights, while Kennis Mercer was nearly in double figures, with 9 points for Crestview.

The Cougars were 9 of 31 in the game from field goal range (29 percent), including 0-for-8 from behind the arc. Van Wert made 9 of 14 free-throw shots (64.3 percent). The Knights made 17 of 44 field goal attempts (38.3 percent), while making 7 of 11 free-throw attempts (63.6 percent).

With the loss, the Cougars fall to 4-12 overall, while Crestview remains perfect at 15-0.

The Knights’ junior varsity team also won, but just by a point, 38-37.