BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Capital University men's basketball team put forth a valiant effort in a high-intensity game Saturday, but fell just shy of victory in a 81-78 defeat in overtime against No. 21 Buffalo State in the championship game of the Buffalo State Coles Classic.
After falling behind early in over time, the Crusaders (5-5 overall) fought back to make it an 80-78 margin with 12 seconds to play. Capital was forced to foul on the ensuing possession, and after the Bengals converted just one of two at the other end, junior Michael Sommer's 3-pointer to tie the game barely rimmed out.
Junior Spencer Niekamp (St. Henry, Ohio; at right) led the Crusaders with 22 points to go along with nine rebounds. Senior Kelly Winter (Dublin, Ohio) contributed with 16 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore Ben Danhoff (Clyde, Ohio) added 10 points and seven boards.
Following the conclusion of the contest, Niekamp and Winter were named to the All-Tournament team for their strong play over the course of the two days of competition.
In a thrilling end to regulation, Niekamp, who broke a 61-61 tie at the 3:30 mark with a 3-pointer, hit an elbow jumper with 23 seconds left to tie the game at 68-68. The Crusaders forced overtime, forcing a jump ball and then a tough shot at the buzzer, which the Bengals (8-1) were unable to convert.
Buffalo State outscored Capital 9-1 in the first two-plus minutes of the extra frame to take control of the contest and steal the Crusaders' momentum.
Neither team was able to get it going beyond the arc, but the teams combined to attempt 61 free throws, with the Bengals holding a 25-17 edge in free throws made. Capital's bench outscored Buffalo State reserves 23-10, led by junior Tim Congrove's eight-point effort.
In the first half, the Crusaders rebounded from an early seven-point deficit with a 12-0 run midway through the period to take a 22-17 lead at the 8:16 mark. Congrove (Circleville, Ohio) and junior Ben Jackson (Columbus, Ohio) scored four points each to punctuate the run.
Buffalo State responded with an 8-0 spurt of its own to take a 25-22 advantage with 3:35 to play in the half. The two teams traded baskets through the remainder of the frame, and a 3-point play by senior Kelly Winter gave Capital a 32-29 advantage going into the locker room.
The Bengals erupted early in the second half with an 11-0 run in a two-minute span to turn a two-point deficit into a 43-34 lead with 16:50 on the clock. A 3-pointer by Niekamp gave the Crusaders a 55-54 advantage with 8:23 to play, but Buffalo State retook the lead three minutes later.
Capital resumes play in the new year on Monday, Jan. 2, as the first game of a men's-women's doubleheader at local non-conference rival Ohio Wesleyan. Tip-off in Delaware, Ohio, is set for 5:30 p.m.
After falling behind early in over time, the Crusaders (5-5 overall) fought back to make it an 80-78 margin with 12 seconds to play. Capital was forced to foul on the ensuing possession, and after the Bengals converted just one of two at the other end, junior Michael Sommer's 3-pointer to tie the game barely rimmed out.
Junior Spencer Niekamp (St. Henry, Ohio; at right) led the Crusaders with 22 points to go along with nine rebounds. Senior Kelly Winter (Dublin, Ohio) contributed with 16 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore Ben Danhoff (Clyde, Ohio) added 10 points and seven boards.
Following the conclusion of the contest, Niekamp and Winter were named to the All-Tournament team for their strong play over the course of the two days of competition.
In a thrilling end to regulation, Niekamp, who broke a 61-61 tie at the 3:30 mark with a 3-pointer, hit an elbow jumper with 23 seconds left to tie the game at 68-68. The Crusaders forced overtime, forcing a jump ball and then a tough shot at the buzzer, which the Bengals (8-1) were unable to convert.
Buffalo State outscored Capital 9-1 in the first two-plus minutes of the extra frame to take control of the contest and steal the Crusaders' momentum.
Neither team was able to get it going beyond the arc, but the teams combined to attempt 61 free throws, with the Bengals holding a 25-17 edge in free throws made. Capital's bench outscored Buffalo State reserves 23-10, led by junior Tim Congrove's eight-point effort.
In the first half, the Crusaders rebounded from an early seven-point deficit with a 12-0 run midway through the period to take a 22-17 lead at the 8:16 mark. Congrove (Circleville, Ohio) and junior Ben Jackson (Columbus, Ohio) scored four points each to punctuate the run.
Buffalo State responded with an 8-0 spurt of its own to take a 25-22 advantage with 3:35 to play in the half. The two teams traded baskets through the remainder of the frame, and a 3-point play by senior Kelly Winter gave Capital a 32-29 advantage going into the locker room.
The Bengals erupted early in the second half with an 11-0 run in a two-minute span to turn a two-point deficit into a 43-34 lead with 16:50 on the clock. A 3-pointer by Niekamp gave the Crusaders a 55-54 advantage with 8:23 to play, but Buffalo State retook the lead three minutes later.
Capital resumes play in the new year on Monday, Jan. 2, as the first game of a men's-women's doubleheader at local non-conference rival Ohio Wesleyan. Tip-off in Delaware, Ohio, is set for 5:30 p.m.
