LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — In a back-and-forth battle at Bath, the Van Wert Cougars outlasted the Wildcats in overtime, pulling out a 42–40 road win.

Bath entered the night riding a three-game winning streak, while Van Wert was looking to stop a two-game skid after a 3–0 start to the season. The matchup lived up to the billing, with neither team able to create much separation throughout regulation.

In the second quarter, Zach Welsch kicked the ball out to Daniel Cole, and the junior buried a three to keep Bath within striking distance. The Wildcats trailed 21–18 heading into halftime.

Van Wert answered early in the third quarter. Xavier Kelly found Cohen Bragg underneath, and the junior finished at the rim to push the Cougars’ lead to five. Later in the period, Welsch attacked the basket and converted an and-one opportunity, cutting the deficit to one after the free throw was missed.

With the game tied late, Bragg went to work on the block and scored to make it 25–23 Van Wert. The two teams traded baskets down the stretch, sending the game into overtime.

In the extra period, Kelly took over. The junior delivered the game-winning basket, sealing the Cougars’ 42–40 overtime victory.

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