First Posted: 3/3/2015
LIMA — Tournament play allows a team to start over at 0-0, even if they had a less than stellar regular season.
Bath took advantage of that second season chance and knocked off Tiffin Columbian 64-46 Tuesday night at Lima Senior in Division II sectional play.
The Wildcats (6-17) got off to a good start and were able to answer any runs that the Tornadoes made at them, thanks in large part to an excellent shooting night.
Andrew Renner tossed in 13 first quarter points and Ryan Gossard added six on two 3-pointers coming off the bench to pace Bath to a 23-18 lead after one period of play.
Bath grew the lead to 10 points at 35-25 going to the half after out-scoring Tiffin 12-7 in the second quarter. The Wildcats switched from a 2-3 zone defense to a man-to-man in the second quarter and the change slowed the Tornadoes (8-15) offense to a crawl.
Bath scorched the nets for a 63 percent shooting half as they connected on 14-of-22 from the field including 7-of-15 on treys.
Cam Clark would connect for eight third quarter points for Bath and the Wildcats would go to the fourth quarter with a 47-35 lead.
Tiffin would open the final period with a 9-2 run to pull to with-in 49-44 with 4:14 left to play before Renner answered with seven points over the rest of the quarter and Bath walked off with the victory.
Bath finished its hot night from the floor as they finished the night connecting on 24-of-39 field goals good for 61 percent.
“Our ball movement was good and we got it in the right places,” Bath coach Shawn Allen said. “I can’t say enough about the kids and their effort; tonight was the best they played all year.”
Renner paced the Wildcats attack with 22 points and Cam Clark added 16 and Gossard ended the contest with 11 points.
“We played well as a team; we moved the ball, got good shots and knocked them down.” Renner said. “It feels good to get a fresh start, we are going to try to make a little run.”
Allen wasn’t surprised by Renner and his scoring output.
“He is first team all league, that is what he is supposed to do,” Allen said. “Cam and Chase both played well and Gossard hit those big threes, everybody gave us good minutes tonight.”
Bath moves on to face Elida (10-11) Friday in the second contest of the night. Bath is 2-0 against Elida this season.
The opener Friday will feature number one seed Celina (19-3) taking on Otsego (4-19) after the Knights knocked off Fostoria by a 66-39 margin in the Tuesday opening match-up.
