VW loses, Lancers, Knights get close wins

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

The Van Wert Cougars lost by a lopsided score to Wapakoneta, while Lincolnview’s girls edged Paulding and the Crestview Lady Knights defeated Bluffton by a basket during Thursday night’s girls’ basketball games.

Lincolnview's Alena Looser (22) makes the winning shot from the key in Thursday's Northwest Conference contest against Paulding. (Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent) — **Lincolnview’s Alena Looser (22) makes the winning shot from the key in Thursday’s Northwest Conference contest against Paulding.** *(Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent)*

The Lady Cougars trailed by 20 points, 26-6, after the first period and things went downhill after that, as Van Wert lost 83-28 to Wapak in a Western Buckeye League contest in the Cougar’s Den.

The Cougars trailed by 35 points, 44-9, at the half, and were down by 44 points, 62-18, heading into the fourth quarter, when they were outscored again 21-10.

Wapakoneta’s Riley Culver led all scorers with 18 points, while Reagan Priest scored 9 points to lead Van Wert.

Both Lincolnview and Crestview rallied in the fourth quarter to win their respective contests.

The Lady Lancers trailed 30-27 heading into the fourth quarter, but went on an 11-7 run in the final stanza to win by a point, 38-37, over Paulding Lady Panthers in a Northwest Conference battle at Lincolnview.

Alena Looser had 11 points for the Lancers, while Faith Vogel scored 19 points for Paulding.

Neither team shot well from the field, with Lincolnview 12 of 38 (31 percent) and the Panthers 12 of 42 (28 percent).

Van Wert's Abby Jackson (12) attempts to make a basket under pressure during Thursday's Western Buckeye League contest against Wapakoneta. The Cougar lost the game, 83-28. (Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent) — **Van Wert’s Abby Jackson (12) attempts to make a basket under pressure during Thursday’s Western Buckeye League contest against Wapakoneta. The Cougar lost the game, 83-28.** *(Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent)*

Paulding was 13 of 17 at the free-throw line (76 percent), while the Lady Lancers made 12 of 17 free throws (70 percent).

Paulding had the edge in rebounds, 30-23, while Lincolnview also had more turnovers, 25-13.

The Crestview Lady Knights, who trailed 24-21, heading into the final quarter of play, went on a 12-7 run to edge Bluffton 33-31 in a Northwest Conference game played at Crestview.

The Lady Knights were down a basket, 10-8, at the end of the first quarter, and trailed 20-14 at the half. Crestview outscored the Lady Pirates 19-11 in the second half — including the 12-7 fourth quarter rally — to win the game.

Andie Schmutz led Bluffton with 16 points, while Emily Bauer scored 17 points for the Knights. No one else was in double figures for either team. Both Schmutz and Bauer led their teams in rebounding as well, with 7 and 6 rebounds, respectively.

Both teams were cold from the field, with Crestview making 15 of 44 field goal attempts for 34 percent, while the Pirates were just 8 of 36 (22 percent) from the field. The Knights made 3 of 5 free throws (60 percent), while Bluffton was 13 of 23 (56 percent) at the line.

The Pirates also had the edge in rebounding, 20-18, while Crestview had more turnovers, 13-11, in the game.

POSTED: 12/04/15 at 7:52 am. FILED UNDER: Sports