VW has 6 in double figures to beat Kenton

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

Van Wert had six players in double figures as the Cougars dominated Kenton for an 81-67 Western Buckeye League boys’ basketball win on Friday.

Van Wert is now 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the WBL, while the Wildcats are 2-3 and 0-2 in league play.

The first quarter was the big one for the Cougars, as they outscored Kenton 20-12 to take an eight-point lead in the game. Van Wert added to that lead in the second quarter with a 20-17 run and an 11-point halftime advantage, 40-29.

The lead was 15 points after three quarters, with the Cougars outscoring Kenton 22-18 in the third quarter to go up 62-47 heading into the final period of play. The Wildcats had a 1-point edge in the fourth quarter, 20-19, but the game was already in the hands of Van Wert, which won going away 81-67.

Van Wert was led by Kyle Keber’s 18 points, but the Cougars also had five other players in the double figures, including Michael Smelser (14 points), Nathan Stoller (13 points), Matt Bidlack (11 points) and 10-point performances from Connor Holliday and Joey Moreland.

Three-pointers were the difference in the game. The Cougars had 10 treys in the game, versus three for Kenton.

Van Wert was 24 of 51 from the field (47.1 percent), but hit half of its three-point attempts (10 of 20) – including an astounding 5 of 7 in the second half. Kenton was 23 of 52 from the field (44.2 percent), including 3 of 11 from behind the arc (27.3 percent).

The Cougars had 39 free throw attempts and made 23 of those (59 percent), while Kenton was 16 of 21 (76.2 percent) from the free-throw line.

The Wildcats had the edge in rebounding, 26-24, while Van Wert had much better control of the ball, losing it just five times, versus 18 for Kenton.

The Cougar junior varsity team was also victorious, 47-30, with Colin Smith the only player on either team in double figures, with 16 points on the night.