After a four game slide, the North Putnam girls' varsity basketball team bounced back, defeating South Vermillion , 43-40, Saturday at North Putnam

After a four game slide, the North Putnam girls' varsity basketball team bounced back, defeating South Vermillion , 43-40, Saturday at North Putnam.

Laura Blaydes led the Cougars with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Brook Miller scored 13 points in the game.

"We've been struggling a little bit here lately to do enough things right to win a basketball game," North Putnam Coach Kevin Smith said. "It was nice to get over that hump."

The Cougars got off to a hot start, outscoring South Vermillion 13-0 in the first quarter.

"Our pressure caused them some trouble," Smith said. "We got some easy buckets out of transition."

North Putnam led, 18-14, at halftime and, 34-26, after the third quarter. The Wildcats outscored the Cougars, 14-9, in the final period, but North Putnam was able to hold on for the victory.

The Cougars improve to 3-8 on the season. They play at Western Boone Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

"They're going to put all five girls on the girls that can play," Smith said. Anyone of them can hurt you."

North Putnam 13 5 16 9 -- 43

South Vermillion 0 14 12 14 -- 40

Next game -- North Putnam plays at Western Boone Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.