Cougars win road game vs. Bryan

Van Wert independent sports

BRYAN — Nate Place capped off a big weekend by scoring 24 points and the Van Wert Cougars picked up their second victory in as many nights with an impressive 64-40 non-conference road win against Bryan on Saturday.

Place, who scored 22 against Shawnee on Friday, scored eight (including two treys) in the first quarter and the Cougars led 17-10 entering the second period.

Van Wert (5-7) used an 11-6 second quarter scoring edge to lead 28-16 at halftime, then Place scored eight more to help boost the advantage to 43-24 after three quarters.

The Cougars drained five triples in the fourth quarter, with Place hitting two and Drew Bagley drilling three. Bagley scored 11 of his 22 points in the final period.

As a team, Van Wert was 25 of 43 (58 percent) from the floor, including 11 of 16 from three point range. The Cougars shot just three free throws all night and made all three, while committing 11 turnovers and pulling down 18 rebounds.

The Golden Bears (5-8) finished 18 of 40 (45 percent) from the floor and just 2 of 8 (25 percent) from the foul line. Bryan turned the ball over 15 times and pulled down 15 rebounds.

Van Wert will play at Kalida on Tuesday.

Scoring summary:

Van Wert 17 11 15 21 – 64
Bryan        10 16 8 16 – 40

Bryan: Peyton Lamberson 1-1-3; Zhane Cupp 9-1-21; Evan Smith 4-0-8; Connor Shirkey 1-0-2; Reese Jackson 1-0-2; Titus Rohrer 2-0-4

Van Wert: Nate Place 9-1-24; Jacoby Kelly 3-0-8; Blake Henry 4-2-10; Drew Bagley 9-0-24

JV: Bryan 46-37