Morrow’s 21 points lead VW girls to win

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

HICKSVILLE — The Van Wert Lady Cougars got a much-needed win, defeating Western Buckeye League opponent Elida 51-44 and avenging a 68-63 win by the Lady Bulldogs during the regular season.

Cougar Erin Morrow (24) gets off a shot under heavy pressure during Van Wert's 51-44 win over the Bulldogs in Division II sectional action on Wednesday. (Jan Dunlap/Van Wert independent) — **Cougar Erin Morrow (24) gets off a shot under heavy pressure during Van Wert’s 51-44 win over the Bulldogs in Division II sectional action on Wednesday.** *(Jan Dunlap/Van Wert independent)*

The Lady Cougars (7-16) were led by Erin Morrow’s 21 points — including 9 of 9 from the free-throw line — while Alexa Dunlap scored 14 points for Van Wert. Elida, which ends its season at 8-15, was led by Shylah Wheeler’s 14 points, while Bailey Kuhn added 11 points for the Bulldogs.

The Lady Cougars led by a basket, 13-11, at the end of the first quarter, and was up by five points, 24-19, at the half. Elida outscored the Cougs 11-10 in the third quarter to shave the lead to four, 34-30 — and trailed by just a point, 24-23, early in the third quarter — but Van Wert regained its composure and went on a 17-14 run in the final stanza to preserve the victory.

Van Wert was 16 of 40 from the field (40 percent), while the Lady Bulldogs made just 15 of 48 field goal attempts (31.3 percent).

The Lady Cougars will now get the chance to avenge another regular-season loss as they get set to play another WBL rival, Defiance (14-8) in the Division II sectional finals at Hicksville.

The Lady Bulldogs had defeated Van Wert 38-35 in the two teams’ WBL regular-season game back in January.

POSTED: 02/26/15 at 9:46 am. FILED UNDER: Sports