Cougars edge Lancers in tip-off opener

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

The Van Wert Cougars opened their season with a 46-41 victory over the Lincolnview Lancers in the Van Wert County Hospital Tip-Off Tournament opener played Friday night.

The Cougars (1-0) will now play the Crestview Knights this evening for the tournament championship. Because the Wayne Trace Raiders are still playing football, winning 57-10 Friday over Mechanicsburg to earn a berth in the Division VI state title game against Kirtland, the tip-off tourney format was changed to just three teams this year.

The Cougars trailed by a basket, 9-7, at the end of the first period, but outscored Lincolnview 12-5 in the second quarter to lead by five, 19-14, at the half. Van Wert had a six-point lead, 30-24, heading into the final stanza, but a rally by the Lancers made it interesting down the stretch.

The Cougars were led offensively by Kyle Keber, the only Van Wert player in double figures, with 10 points, although Michael Smelser, Matt Bidlack and Drew Myers each had 8 points in the game. Justis Dowdy led the Lancers with 17 points, while Kyle Williams scored 9 for Lincolnview.

The Cougars were 10 of 21 from two-point range (47.6 percent), while hitting 5 of 18 three-point attempts (27.8 percent). Van Wert was 11 of 18 from the free-throw line (61.1 percent). Lincolnview made 8 of 22 two-point attempts (36.4 percent), and was 3 of 20 from three-point range (15 percent). The Lancers made 16 of 23 free throws in the game (69.6 percent).

The Cougars had the edge in rebounding, 27-21, while Lincolnview had one fewer turnover, 10-9.

Van Wert is now 1-0 on the season, while the Lancers are 0-1.

The Lancer junior varsity team downed the Cougar JVs 46-34, led by Josh Leiter’s 17 points. Colin Smith scored 14 points for Van Wert.