Cougars blow out Delphos Jefferson

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

DELPHOS — The Van Wert Cougars dialed in from long distance Monday night to provide the offensive muscle needed to power over the Delphos Jefferson Wildcats 81-58 during a non-conference boys’ basketball game held at Jefferson.

The Cougars had three players in double figures and two others close to that plateau, led by AJ Smith’s 29 points that included a 9-of-14 performance from three-point range. Matt Bidlack scored 16 points for Van Wert, while Connor Holliday added 10 points and Kyle Keber and Nathan Stoller each scored 9 points for the Cougars.

Delphos was led by Ross Thompson’s 26 points, while Trey Smith added 17 points for Jefferson.

Overall, Van Wert was 15 of 29 from beyond the arc — and was also 15 of 29 from two-point range (51.7 percent). The Cougars made 6 of 10 free-throw attempts (60 percent). Delphos was 15 of 27 from two-point range (55.6 percent) but hit just 2 of 7 three-point attempts (28.6 percent). The Wildcats were 22 of 36 from the free-throw line (61.1 percent).

Jefferson also had the edge in rebounding, 29-24, over Van Wert, but had twice as many turnovers, 9-18, as the Cougars.

Van Wert led 20-11 at the end of the first quarter, but the Wildcats cut the lead to six points, 30-24, at the half. The Cougars then went on a 51-34 second-half offensive spurt to run away with the game.

With the win, Van Wert is now 11-10 on the year, while the Wildcats fall to 4-17 overall.

The Cougar junior varsity team is now 20-1 on the season with a 43-20 win over Delphos. Joey Moreland had 12 points to lead Van Wert.

The Cougars will next play Friday night at home against Western Buckeye League rival Ottawa-Glandorf in the regular season finale.