Van Wert Lady Cougars lose to Bath

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

The Van Wert Lady Cougars gave the state-ranked Lima Bath Wildkittens all they could handle for four quarters, losing 38-32 in overtime to a team ranked No. 10 in the state during a wild Western Buckeye League game on Thursday.

The shooting on both sides of the ball was nearly frigid as the outside temperature, with the Cougars hitting only 29 percent of their field goal attempts (10 of 35) and Bath making just 20 percent of theirs (9 of 44). The game came down to turnovers and free throws, with the Cougars losing the ball 20 times to 12 for Bath — with a couple of critical miscues in overtime. The Wildkittens were 17 of 29 at the line (58.6 percent), while Van Wert hit 9 of 16 (56.3 percent) free throws.

The Cougars led by a point, 6-5, at the end of the first quarter, but Bath went on an 8-5 run in the second period to take the lead by a basket, 13-11, at the half. Both teams scored 10 in the third quarter, while Van Wert took a two-point lead, 25-23, until a basket by Wildkitten Kaitlin Singhaus, one of only four points on the night – tied the game up with less than a half-minute to play in regulation.

Some untimely turnovers by the Lady Cougars and some timely free throws by Bath gave the Wildkittens the hard-fought WBL victory.

Emily Ruhe and Taylor Dackin led all scorers with 11 points apiece, while Jess Johns added 8 points for Bath. The Cougars were led by the Morrow sister, Alex and Erin, who each had 8 points in the game. Brooke Keber added 7 points for Van Wert.

With the loss, the Cougars fall to 8-6 overall on the year and 3-3 in the WBL, while Bath is now 13-2 overall and 6-0 in league play.

The Van Wert junior varsity team also lost to the Bath JVs, 42-29. The Cougar JVs are now 10-4 on the year.

Van Wert will next play Crestview on Monday in a non-conference game, starting at 7:30 p.m.