Cougars lose close game to Marion Local

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

The Van Wert Cougars battled hard, but didn’t quite have the staying power, losing by three points, 61-58, to Marion Local in a non-conference game played Saturday in the Cougars’ Den.

It was a back-and-forth game all the way. The Flyers got out to a three-point lead, 18-15, in the first quarter, but trailed by a point, 30-29, at the half when Van Wert turned the tables with a 15-11 rally in the second period.

Marion Local got back in front with a 19-11 run in the third quarter for a seven-point lead, 48-41, heading into the fourth and final quarter, but the Cougars rallied to almost pull out a win, only to falter in the final minutes.

Colin Smith led Van Wert with 18 points, while Josh Braun added 17 points for the Cougars. Tyler Mescher was the Flyers’ — and the game’s — top scorer with 24 points, including 10 two-pointers.

Van Wert was 18 of 44 from the field (40.9 percent), but hit only 5 of 20 three-point attempts (25 percent). The Cougars were a respectable 17 of 24 from the free throw line (70.8 percent).

Marion Local made 21 of 44 from field goal range (47.7 percent), including 2 of 9 behind the arc (22.2 percent). The Flyers made 17 of 26 free throws (65.4 percent).

Van Wert had the edge in rebounds, 18-17, also had three fewer turnovers, 9-12, than the Flyers.

The Cougar junior varsity team won by a basket, 47-45, over Marion Local. Nate Place led all scorers with 16 points, while Drew Bagley added 10 points for Van Wert. The Flyer JVs were led by Justin Alvers’ 12 points, while Tyler Prenger added 11 points for Marion Local.

The Cougars will try to find a way to win when they go on the road for two long-distance games, playing at Kenton on Friday and at Bryan on Saturday.