Cougars get win over Marion Local

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

MARIA STEIN — The Van Wert Cougars got a challenge from the much-taller Marion Local Flyers but the Cougars were able to prevail, 54-45, in non-conference action on Saturday.

The Flyers got out to quicker start than Van Wert and led 12-8 at the end of the first quarter. The Cougars turned the tables in the second quarter, though, outscoring Marion Local 13-8 to go up a point, 21-20, at the half.

Van Wert increased its lead to four, 38-34, by the end of the third quarter and then held off the Flyers in a 16-11 fourth quarter for the victory.

AJ Smith led the Cougars with 24 points, including five treys, while Joey Hurless, who added 16 points, did a great job of moving the Van Wert offense down the floor. Ryan Bruns scored 17 points for Marion Local, and was the only Flyer in double figures.

Marion Local used a zone defense that allowed its big men to dominate inside and keep the Cougars outside. Van Wert countered with three-point attempts, shooting 24 shots from beyond the arc and making eight of those (33.3 percent). The Cougars were 6 of 10 from two-point range (60 percent), and hit 18 of 30 free-throw attempts (60 percent). Marion Local was 3 of 13 from three-point range (23.1 percent) and made 15 of 23 two-point attempts (65.2 percent). The Flyers were 6 of 9 from the line (66.7 percent).

As expected the taller Marion Local team outrebounded the Cougars, but only by five rebounds (15-20). Van Wert had the edge in turnovers, 10-11, with eight of those coming in the first half.

The Cougars are now 7-4 on the year, while the Flyers fall to 3-5 overall.

After losing its first game of the season on Friday to Elida, the Cougar junior varsity team game back to win, 52-32, over Marion Local’s JVs. Nick Keber scored 14 points for Van Wert, while Drew Myers added 11 points. Dustin Seitz scored 12 points for the Flyers. The Cougar JVs are now 10-1.