sports@timesbulletin.com

VAN WERT - Leading St. John’s 47-27 heading into the fourth quarter at the Cougars’ Den Saturday night, the Van Wert boys basketball team was confident they would hold on for a big non-conference win.

When senior Blue Jay guard Curtis Geise drove and scored to cut the Cougar lead to 53-47 with just over a minute to play, however, Van Wert’s confidence had diminished.

Fortunately for the Cougars (5-2), they did just enough in the final minute to hold on for a 56-50 win.

“It’s a big win. We’re coming off a tough loss and we’ve had to sit on it for eight or nine days. There’s always a doubt when you play and Delphos has been playing well,” said Cougar coach Dave Froelich.

After shooting 11-of-33 through the first three quarters, St. John’s (5-2) turned up the intensity heading into the final frame. They shot 8-of-15 in the fourth and held the Cougars to 2-of-5 from the field in the final quarter.