Cougar rally not enough to beat Lancers

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

It wasn’t a good week for the Van Wert Cougars.

After losing to the Crestview Knights on Friday, the Van Wert boys were edged by the Lincolnview Lancers 56-54 on Saturday in a second non-conference match-up between county rivals.

On Saturday, the Cougars rallied after a slow start, but couldn’t quite climb out of the 13-point hole they dug for themselves in the first quarter.

The Lancers outscored Van Wert 22-9 in the first quarter, but the Cougars came back in the second period, scoring 17 points to 10 for Lincolnview and cut the Lancer lead to six points, 32-26. Van Wert also outscored the Lancers 28-24 in the second half, but it just wasn’t enough as Lincolnview won by a basket.

Lancer Hayden Ludwig was the game’s top scorer with 18 points, while Chandler Adams added 14 points and Austin Leeth scored 9 points for Lincolnview. The Cougars had three players in double figures, led by Jacoby Kelly’s 14 points. Colin Smith and Josh Braun each scored 12 points, while Ryan McCracken added 9 points for Van Wert.

The Cougars were 20 of 47 from the field (42.6 percent), but hit only 6 of 18 three-point attempts (33.3 percent). Van Wert made 8 of 11 free throws (72.7 percent). The Lancers shot a sizzling 60 percent from the field, including 5 of 12 three-point attempts (41.6 percent). Lincolnview was less successful at the charity stripe, knocking down 9 of 14 free throws (64.3 percent).

The Lancers had the edge in rebounds, 17-16, while Van Wert had fewer turnovers (15-18).

The Cougars start the season 0-2, with a Western Buckeye League contest against St. Marys on December 11 the next game for Van Wert.