Despite being short-handed, the visiting Ada High School boys basketball team stayed close to Ottoville for three quarters before losing 64-40 in a non-conference game Saturday night, January 29.

Ada hung within striking distance down 43-30 heading to the final period. 

But the Big Green closed on a 21-10 note to win going away.

Ada junior guard Spencer Wall scored five early points, but took a hit to the head in the first quarter and missed the rest of the game.

"We held up pretty well considering we were without him," said first-year Bulldog head coach Vince Halliday. "We were only down 13 after three.

"But we still had too many turnovers," he added. "Ethan Murphy played hard. Our defensive effort was better. But Will Miller is really good. We had no answer for him."

Miller led all players with 23 points.

Jaden Leal led Ada with nine points. Cayden Murphy tallied nine points, and Jacob Sutherly added seven markers.

The Bulldogs dropped to 4-14 after suffering their 10th straight loss. Meanwhile, Ottoville improved to 11-7 with the win.

"We had turnovers in bunches and they led to easy scores," said Halliday.

Carter Hoersten netted 15 points, while Carter Schnipke added 14 markers for Ottoville. 

Ada hit the bottom of the net on 16 shots, netting 13 two-pointers and three trifectas. The Bulldogs converted five of nine charity stripe attempts (56 percent).

Ottoville canned 25 field goals, connecting on 17 two-pointers and eight trifectas. The Green converted six of 13 free throw attempts (46 percent). 

Ada 40 (4-14)

C. Murphy 3 2-4 8, Conley 1 0-0 2, Sutherly 3 0-0 7, Leal 3 3-5 9, Wall 2 0-0 5, Preston 2 0-0 4, E. Murphy 2 0-0 5.

Totals: 13-3/5-9/40. 3-pointers: E. Murphy 1, Wall 1, Sutherly 1.

Ottoville 64 (11-7)

Miller 9 2-7 23, W. Hoersten 1 1-2 3, Schnipke 5 0-0 14, Suever 2 0-0 4, C. Hoersten 6 2-3 15, Turnwald 2 1-1 5.

Totals: 2-1/6-13/64. 3-pointers: Schnipke 4, Miller 3, C. Hoersten 1.

1 2 3 4 F

Ada 9 10 11 10 40

Ott 17 15 11 21 64

The Bulldogs (0-5 NWC) visit new league foe Leipsic (11-5, 3-3 NWC) Friday, February 4.