PAULDING, Ohio (WLIO)— Bath Wildcats used a strong first half and clutch free throws down the stretch to defeat Ottawa-Glandorf Titans 47-43 in an all-Western Buckeye League district semifinal matchup.

The Wildcats, who won the regular-season meeting 45-33 on Jan. 30, carried that momentum into Tuesday night’s Game 2 showdown.

Bath seized control late in the first half when senior Zach Welsch buried a deep 3-pointer at the buzzer, sending the Wildcats into the locker room with a 20-13 lead.

Ottawa-Glandorf struggled offensively through much of the third quarter, trailing by double digits before mounting a fourth-quarter rally.

The Titans closed the gap to 43-38 after Landon Pester knocked down a corner 3-pointer.

Bath answered on the ensuing possession as senior Logan Markley converted a basket through contact. Though he missed the free throw attempt, the Wildcats extended their lead to seven.

In the final minute, Ottawa-Glandorf’s Duling executed a pick-and-pop to perfection, drilling a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 45-43.

But with 10 seconds remaining, Bath junior Josiah Clark calmly sank both free throws to seal the victory and make it a two-possession game.

With the win, Bath advances to its first district final since 2014.

The Wildcats will face Lake Flyers on Saturday at Fremont Ross High School. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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