WAPAKONETA (WLIO) — Van Wert remained perfect in Western Buckeye League play, knocking off Wapakoneta 47-42 in the Spotlight Game of the Week between two undefeated league teams.

Both teams entered the night unbeaten in WBL action, with Wapakoneta at 4-0 and Van Wert also 4-0, setting the stage for a tightly contested matchup.

Van Wert struck first from the perimeter. Xavier Kelly gave the ball up, relocated, and connected from beyond the arc, setting the tone early. The sophomore went on to lead the Cougars in scoring.

Wapakoneta answered on the other end as Ryan Richardson stepped into a three of his own, with both teams finding success from deep in the opening quarter.

In the second quarter, Van Wert extended its lead off an inbound play, with Kelly finding Zach Crummey underneath for the finish to make it a six-point game. Wapakoneta trailed for most of the first half, but Richardson knocked down a midrange jumper just before the break, sending the Redskins into halftime down 26-22.

Wapakoneta made a push in the fourth quarter. Trent Lisi drained a corner three that got a friendly roll, cutting the deficit to 41-35 and forcing Van Wert to burn a timeout.

Down the stretch, Van Wert stayed composed at the free-throw line. Senior Griffin McCracken knocked down a key foul shot with 25 seconds left to make it a two-possession game.

Van Wert closed it out from there, surviving on the road to remain unbeaten in the WBL with a 47-42 victory.

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