Cougars trey-rific in win over Coldwater

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

COLDWATER — The Van Wert Cougars blistered the nets from three-point range to earn an easy 54-40 win over the Coldwater Cavaliers in a non-conference game played Monday at Coldwater.

The score would have much more lopsided if a number of “bunny” two-point attempts by Van Wert had gone in. The Cougs made 11 three-pointers – the most by far on the year – out of 23 attempts (47.8 percent), but were only 9 of 26 from two-point range (34.6 percent) for an overall field goal percentage of 40.8 percent. Van Wert made half of its six free-throw attempts.

The Cavaliers were a fantastic 19 of 23 from two-point range (82.6 percent), but hit only 3 of 20 three-point attempts (15 percent) for an overall field goal percentage of 51.2 percent. Coldwater was also an excellent 13 of 16 at the line (81.3 percent).

The obvious difference in the game was three-pointers, while the Cougars also dominated on the boards, bringing down 29 rebounds to 19 for Coldwater. The two teams were about even in turnovers, with Van Wert having 12 miscues and the Cavs with 11.

The Cougars were led by AJ Smith, who had five treys on the night, while Kyle Keber added 9 points – all treys – for Van Wert. The Cougars had eight players in the scoring column on the night. Coldwater was led by Austin Bruns’ 17 points, while Brady Hoying added 12 for the Cavaliers.

Van Wert got out quick, leading by 9, 18-9, at the end of the first quarter. The Cougars increased their lead to 21 points, 37-16, at the half, and led by 22, 49-27, at the three-quarter mark. Coldwater outscored Van Wert’s reserves on the final stanza, 13-5, to cut the winning margin down to 14.

The Van Wert junior varsity squad also was victorious, 45-34, over the Cavs, with Drew Myers leading all scorers with 16 points, while Nathan Stoller added 14 points, including four treys, on the night.

The Cougars have another away game tonight – their last before Christmas – traveling to Paulding for another non-league contest against the Panthers.