COLUMBUS – The Capital University men's basketball team rallied furiously in the second half to overcome a double-digit deficit Saturday, but fell just short in a 90-76 setback against Denison in a non-conference game at the Capital Center.
The Crusaders (2-2) scored 48 points in the second half, but were unable to cool down the Big Red, who shot 55.6 percent for the game, including a 61.9 percent clip in the second half.
Junior Michael Sommer (Celina, Ohio; at right) led all scorers with 22 points to go along with a team-high six rebounds and three steals. Senior Kelly Winter (Dublin, Ohio) contributed with 20 points, five rebounds and three assists, while junior Spencer Niekamp (St. Henry, Ohio) added 14 points.
Denison (2-3) led 43-28 at the half thanks to a 14-0 run midway through the period where it took advantage of five Capital turnovers in the stretch.
Sommer ended the run with one of his game-high six 3-pointers at the 6:00 mark, spurring the Crusaders to cut the deficit to five with 3:33 on the clock.
The Big Red answered with a 10-0 run heading into the locker room on a fast-break layup and two 3-pointers sandwiched around a pair of free throws.
In the second half, Capital cut its deficit to 73-64 with 4:04 remaining after two free throws by Winter. Denison regained control after a Crusader turnover, pushing its lead back to 14 and playing evenly the rest of the way.
Capital shot 13-of-30 (43.3 percent) from 3-point range and 15-for-17 (88.2 percent) from the free throw line.
The Crusaders return to play this Wednesday at Heidelberg in the Ohio Athletic Conference opener for both teams at 7:30 p.m. in Tiffin, Ohio.
The Crusaders (2-2) scored 48 points in the second half, but were unable to cool down the Big Red, who shot 55.6 percent for the game, including a 61.9 percent clip in the second half.
Junior Michael Sommer (Celina, Ohio; at right) led all scorers with 22 points to go along with a team-high six rebounds and three steals. Senior Kelly Winter (Dublin, Ohio) contributed with 20 points, five rebounds and three assists, while junior Spencer Niekamp (St. Henry, Ohio) added 14 points.
Denison (2-3) led 43-28 at the half thanks to a 14-0 run midway through the period where it took advantage of five Capital turnovers in the stretch.
Sommer ended the run with one of his game-high six 3-pointers at the 6:00 mark, spurring the Crusaders to cut the deficit to five with 3:33 on the clock.
The Big Red answered with a 10-0 run heading into the locker room on a fast-break layup and two 3-pointers sandwiched around a pair of free throws.
In the second half, Capital cut its deficit to 73-64 with 4:04 remaining after two free throws by Winter. Denison regained control after a Crusader turnover, pushing its lead back to 14 and playing evenly the rest of the way.
Capital shot 13-of-30 (43.3 percent) from 3-point range and 15-for-17 (88.2 percent) from the free throw line.
The Crusaders return to play this Wednesday at Heidelberg in the Ohio Athletic Conference opener for both teams at 7:30 p.m. in Tiffin, Ohio.
