BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Capital University men's basketball team coughed up a big first half lead Friday, but recovered in the second half for a 77-70 victory over Morrisville State on the first day of the Buffalo State Coles Classic.
Junior reserve Tim Congrove (Circleville, Ohio) helped the Crusaders (5-4) maintain their lead through most of the second half with five 3-pointers. The Walsh University transfer finished the game with a team- and career-high 21 points for Capital, which came out strong after the half with a 3-pointer and two old-fashioned 3-point plays in its first four possessions.
"We wanted to get some post touches inside and penetrate the gaps, and they collapsed, which left shooters open outside," Congrove said. "My teammates did all the work … I was wide open, and I was able to hit some shots."
Junior Michael Sommer (Celina, Ohio) totaled 18 points and five assists, while sophomore Ben Danhoff (Clyde, Ohio) totaled seven points and a team-best nine rebounds. Capital held Morrisville State (3-6) to 36.7 percent shooting in the second half.
In the first half, the Crusaders broke down the Morrisville defense and jumped out to a 22-10 lead with just over 10 minutes on the clock after consecutive 3-pointers by Sommer and senior Tyler Munro (Lexington, Ohio). The Mustangs responded with a 20-3 run on a barrage of 3-pointers and transition baskets, taking a 34-31 advantage into the locker room.
"We missed some layups, and that resulted in them getting two points the other way … those are crucial four point swings," Capital coach Damon Goodwin said. "We have to get better with our mentality and keep putting it on people when we get out to a lead."
After quickly taking the lead in the opening minutes of the second, Capital didn't surrender its advantage until the 6-minute mark, when Morrisville tied the game and eventually took a four-point lead with 4:59 on the clock. The Crusaders quickly took back the lead on a layup by junior Spencer Niekamp (St. Henry, Ohio), free throws by senior Kelly Winter (Dublin, Ohio) and a pair of 3-pointers by Congrove, the second of which gave Capital a 66-60 lead with 3:35 left.
Congrove, who has played sparingly through the team's first nine games, also converted crucial 3-pointers in the team's home victory over Mount Union last Saturday.
"Tim is a guy who didn't get much playing time to start the season, but he just keeps working," Capital coach Damon Goodwin said. "His hard work is paying off … he's been effective for us both offensively and defensively."
Munro all but sealed the Crusaders' win with a 3-pointer with just over a minute remaining, giving Capital a 73-65 margin.
Capital knocked down 12 three-pointers as a team and finished 13-of-16 (81.3 percent) from the free throw line. The Mustangs converted just one 3-pointer in the second after hitting 6-of-9 in the first.
Winter added 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists and shot 8-of-10 from the free throw line.
The Crusaders conclude tournament play in tomorrow's championship game against the winner of Friday night's Keuka-No. 21 Buffalo State contest. Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m.
Junior reserve Tim Congrove (Circleville, Ohio) helped the Crusaders (5-4) maintain their lead through most of the second half with five 3-pointers. The Walsh University transfer finished the game with a team- and career-high 21 points for Capital, which came out strong after the half with a 3-pointer and two old-fashioned 3-point plays in its first four possessions.
"We wanted to get some post touches inside and penetrate the gaps, and they collapsed, which left shooters open outside," Congrove said. "My teammates did all the work … I was wide open, and I was able to hit some shots."
Junior Michael Sommer (Celina, Ohio) totaled 18 points and five assists, while sophomore Ben Danhoff (Clyde, Ohio) totaled seven points and a team-best nine rebounds. Capital held Morrisville State (3-6) to 36.7 percent shooting in the second half.
In the first half, the Crusaders broke down the Morrisville defense and jumped out to a 22-10 lead with just over 10 minutes on the clock after consecutive 3-pointers by Sommer and senior Tyler Munro (Lexington, Ohio). The Mustangs responded with a 20-3 run on a barrage of 3-pointers and transition baskets, taking a 34-31 advantage into the locker room.
"We missed some layups, and that resulted in them getting two points the other way … those are crucial four point swings," Capital coach Damon Goodwin said. "We have to get better with our mentality and keep putting it on people when we get out to a lead."
After quickly taking the lead in the opening minutes of the second, Capital didn't surrender its advantage until the 6-minute mark, when Morrisville tied the game and eventually took a four-point lead with 4:59 on the clock. The Crusaders quickly took back the lead on a layup by junior Spencer Niekamp (St. Henry, Ohio), free throws by senior Kelly Winter (Dublin, Ohio) and a pair of 3-pointers by Congrove, the second of which gave Capital a 66-60 lead with 3:35 left.
Congrove, who has played sparingly through the team's first nine games, also converted crucial 3-pointers in the team's home victory over Mount Union last Saturday.
"Tim is a guy who didn't get much playing time to start the season, but he just keeps working," Capital coach Damon Goodwin said. "His hard work is paying off … he's been effective for us both offensively and defensively."
Munro all but sealed the Crusaders' win with a 3-pointer with just over a minute remaining, giving Capital a 73-65 margin.
Capital knocked down 12 three-pointers as a team and finished 13-of-16 (81.3 percent) from the free throw line. The Mustangs converted just one 3-pointer in the second after hitting 6-of-9 in the first.
Winter added 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists and shot 8-of-10 from the free throw line.
The Crusaders conclude tournament play in tomorrow's championship game against the winner of Friday night's Keuka-No. 21 Buffalo State contest. Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m.
