Niekamp Ties Career High as Crusaders Upend Blue Streaks

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COLUMBUS – The Capital University men's basketball team (15-6, 12-2 OAC) defeated the Blue Streaks of John Carroll (10-10, 7-7 OAC) by a final of 82-61 Saturday afternoon at the Capital Center.

Senior forward Spencer Niekamp (St. Henry, Ohio; at right) tied a career-high with 27 points in a perfect shooting performance as he was 11-of-11 from the field, including 5-for-5 from 3-point range.

Senior guard Mitch Westerheide (Ft. Loramie, Ohio) set a career-high in assists with 10 in addition to scoring eight points and grabbing four rebounds. Freshman guard A.J. Dixon (Hilliard, Ohio) scored 11 points and senior guard Tim Congrove (Circleville, Ohio) chipped in 13 points to contribute to the Crusader offensive attack.

The Crusaders were in the driver's seat from the get-go thanks to a scrambling defense and quick buckets in transition as they started the game on an 18-0 run, forcing a pair of early John Carroll timeouts.

Much of the efficiency on the offensive end could be attributed to Niekamp, who scored 18 of the team's first 20 points.

As the Crusaders continued to build their lead in the first half, they did it behind scrambling defense and an air-tight zone as they held the Blue Streaks to 20.7 percent shooting in the opening period.

Capital shot 51.6 percent from the floor and went into the break at a 42-22 advantage as the team was able to ride the hot hand of Niekamp and his 21 first-half points.

Opening up the second half of play, John Carroll refused to quit as it came out on a 14-4 run of to cut the lead down to 10, forcing Capital into a timeout with 15:48 remaining in the half.

Out of the timeout Capital seemed to regain its focus as it fought hard on both ends of the floor to extend the lead back to 20 with 10:33 remaining.

From there the team would hold at least a 19-point lead for the remainder of the game as they were able to send John Carroll home with a loss.

As much as Niekamp was the story in the opening half, Westerheide controlled the pace of the game in the second, displaying tremendous court vision and continued to find his teammates for open looks down the stretch. As a team, 22 of Capital's 32 field goal makes were assisted.

The Crusaders also found themselves the beneficiaries of some great bench play as Dixon hit timely 3-pointers and third-year forward Ben Jackson (Columbus, Ohio) was in rhythm, connecting on 5-of-6 shot attempts en route to his 10 points.

The Crusaders finished the game shooting 58.2 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc.

Defensively, the Crusaders held the Blue Streaks to 37.5 percent shooting (21-for-56).

The Capital athletics department recognized its five new inductees into the Athletics Hall of Fame as well as two other honorees during halftime ceremonies. Dave Cecutti '77, Cassie Cunningham '00, Joe Jacubus '73, Bill Kaikis '92 and Russ Reynolds '80 were each inducted into the Hall earlier in the day. Tom Rutan '65 received the Hugo Wenzel Award of Merit, while Alex Moore '12 garnered the Berea Boots Award.

Jacubus was a former standout for the men's basketball team from 1969-73, helping lead the team to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. Cecutti played from 1973-77 and served as head coach of the Crusaders from 1986-89, leading the team to an NCAA appearance in 1989.

With the win, the Crusaders remain tied atop the OAC standings heading into their match-up this Wednesday when they travel to Marietta to take on the Pioneers for sole possession of first place. The game is set for a 7:30 p.m. tip.