The Capital men's basketball team pulled away from Heidelberg in the second half, defeating their Ohio Athletic Conference opponent 68-60 at the Capital Center. Saturday afternoon's victory gives Capital a half game lead in the OAC standings ahead of John Carroll, which plays at Otterbein Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Capital's (14-7, 11-3 OAC) win lengthens their winning streak to three games while the Student Princes (6-16, 4-10 OAC) adds another loss to their four-game losing streak.
The Crusaders had four players in double figures in scoring, including juniors Spencer Niekamp (16), Michael Sommer (14), Mitch Westerheide (15) and senior Tyler Munro (11; at right). Capital shot 42.1 percent from the field and grabbed 38 rebounds. Niekamp was one rebound away from a double-double as he led his team with nine.
After trading leads in the opening minutes of the first half, the Student Princes went on a 7-0 run, capped by CJ Powell's 3-pointer to give his team a 14-7 lead at the 13-minute mark. This seven-point lead was Heidelberg's largest lead in the contest.
A fast-break layup by Niekamp erupted the host crowd as Capital tied the game at 16 at the 8:50 mark of the first period. But Heidelberg's Nate Davis quickly silenced the fans after he dunked Dane Givner's missed 3-point shot, giving his team an 18-17 lead at the 5:54 mark of the first half.
The Crusaders were finally able to regain the lead after Westerheide's layup gave them a 24-23 edge, with a minute left in the first half.
Capital didn't let go of their advantage in the first half as they concluded the opening period on a 5-0 run to lead Heidelberg 28-23.
After Heidelberg reclaimed the lead on Pat Barrett's two free throws at the 15- minute mark of the second half, Capital quickly took back the lead after Westerheide's 3-pointer gave his team a 34-32 advantage. After that, the Student Princes were not able to regain the lead for the rest of the contest.
The Crusaders took complete control of the rest of the game as the Student Princes weren't able to get within eight points of the Capital lead after the 10-minute mark of the second half.
Capital concludes its three-game home stand this Wednesday against Otterbein at the Capital Center at 7 p.m.
