The Capital men's basketball team received contributions from unexpected places in its 2011-12 season opener Friday, but achieved the optimal result in a 76-56 defeat of Thiel in a non-conference affair on the first day of the Buzz Ridl Classic in New Wilmington, Pa.
The Crusaders shot a sizzling 51.8 percent while holding the Tomcats (0-1) to 34.4 percent shooting, taking an 11-point advantage into the half and cruising to the win in the second.
Playing in his first game in a Capital uniform, junior forward Ben Jackson (Columbus, Ohio; at right) led the team with 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field and was one of four different Crusaders to post five rebounds.
"Ben Jackson has been a pleasant surprise throughout the preseason and tonight," Capital coach Damon Goodwin said. "He battled tonight. He has great touch around the rim and was productive in a short amount of time off the bench."
Fellow frontcourt players Spencer Niekamp (St. Henry, Ohio) and Jared Cashen (Norwalk, Ohio) combined for 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Crusaders (1-0), who converted nine 3-pointers and saw 17 players see game action.
Senior guard Kelly Winter (Dublin, Ohio) littered the box score with five rebounds, eight assists and four steals, putting aside his scoring capabilities to set the table for Jackson and Co.
"We normally ask Kelly to score, but he's a senior who will take on whatever role helps the team win," Goodwin said. "He did it defensively with some timely steals as well as on the boards."
Cashen and junior wing Michael Sommer (Celina, Ohio) combined for nine unanswered Capital points starting at the 8-minute mark of the first half to extend the team's lead to 29-16 with 4:33 to play in the period.
"Thiel is an athletic team, so we knew it would be a challenge and we were interested to see how our guys would react," Goodwin said. "We executed in the first, but got a little sloppy towards the end of the half. It was nice to be able to extend our lead in the second."
The Crusaders never led by fewer than nine in the second half and took a game-high 22-point advantage in the waning minutes on a 3-pointer by junior guard Tim Congrove (Circleville, Ohio).
Sommer and junior Tim Cammon (Westerville, Ohio) added eight points apiece. Capital's bench outscored Thiel's 40-4.
Capital concludes tournament play tomorrow against host Westminster at 4 p.m.
The Crusaders shot a sizzling 51.8 percent while holding the Tomcats (0-1) to 34.4 percent shooting, taking an 11-point advantage into the half and cruising to the win in the second.
Playing in his first game in a Capital uniform, junior forward Ben Jackson (Columbus, Ohio; at right) led the team with 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field and was one of four different Crusaders to post five rebounds.
"Ben Jackson has been a pleasant surprise throughout the preseason and tonight," Capital coach Damon Goodwin said. "He battled tonight. He has great touch around the rim and was productive in a short amount of time off the bench."
Fellow frontcourt players Spencer Niekamp (St. Henry, Ohio) and Jared Cashen (Norwalk, Ohio) combined for 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Crusaders (1-0), who converted nine 3-pointers and saw 17 players see game action.
Senior guard Kelly Winter (Dublin, Ohio) littered the box score with five rebounds, eight assists and four steals, putting aside his scoring capabilities to set the table for Jackson and Co.
"We normally ask Kelly to score, but he's a senior who will take on whatever role helps the team win," Goodwin said. "He did it defensively with some timely steals as well as on the boards."
Cashen and junior wing Michael Sommer (Celina, Ohio) combined for nine unanswered Capital points starting at the 8-minute mark of the first half to extend the team's lead to 29-16 with 4:33 to play in the period.
"Thiel is an athletic team, so we knew it would be a challenge and we were interested to see how our guys would react," Goodwin said. "We executed in the first, but got a little sloppy towards the end of the half. It was nice to be able to extend our lead in the second."
The Crusaders never led by fewer than nine in the second half and took a game-high 22-point advantage in the waning minutes on a 3-pointer by junior guard Tim Congrove (Circleville, Ohio).
Sommer and junior Tim Cammon (Westerville, Ohio) added eight points apiece. Capital's bench outscored Thiel's 40-4.
Capital concludes tournament play tomorrow against host Westminster at 4 p.m.
