Cougars win 2nd road game vs. Bryan

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

BRYAN — The Van Wert Cougars should go on the road more often. The Cougars had to travel long distances over the weekend for two big wins for a program in need of some successes. After a 56-39 win over Western Buckeye League foe Kenton on Friday, the Cougars downed Bryan 58-35 on Saturday in a non-conference game played in that northwest Ohio city.

Van Wert was led offensively on Saturday by Colin Smith’s 19 points, while Ryan McCracken scored 11 points for the Cougars. The best the Golden Bears could do on offense was Jaden Valderas’ 9 points.

Van Wert sent a strong message right at the beginning of Saturday’s game, going up by 13 points after outscoring the Golden Bears 19-6 in the first quarter. The Cougars upped the lead to 22 points, 38-16, at the half with a 19-10 run in the second quarter.

The lead was 26 points, 50-24, at the end of the third quarter, and Van Wert coasted from there for the non-league victory.

The Cougars are now 3-9 overall, while Bryan is 6-8 so far this season.

Van Wert shot well from the field, although the Cougars continue to struggle from three-point range, hitting 21 of 49 from the field (42.8 percent). Of that number, Van Wert was 17 of 30 in two-point attempts (56.7 percent), while making only 4 of 19 three-pointers (21.1 percent). The Cougars were 12 of 17 from the free throw line (70.6 percent).

Defensively, Van Wert held the Golden Bears to 21.7 percent shooting (10 of 46) on the night, including 4 of 11 from three-point range (36.4 percent). Bryan was 11 of 19 from the charity stripe (57.9 percent).

The Cougars dominated on the boards, bringing down a staggering 41 rebounds, versus 24 for the Golden Bears, while also having three fewer turnovers (11-14).

The Van Wert junior varsity team also won, 62-36, led by Blake Henry’s 26-point offensive performance. Nate Place added 18 points for the Cougar JVs, while Bryan had no one in double figures.

Van Wert will next play on Tuesday at Kalida, while returning home this coming weekend for a WBL contest on Friday against Elida, and a non-league game Saturday with Coldwater.