The Capital University women's basketball team put forth a solid effort Wednesday, but was turned back 84-72 at rival Otterbein in an Ohio Athletic Conference showdown in Westerville, Ohio.
Four players scored in double figures for the Crusaders (14-8 overall, 9-6 OAC), who shot 49.3 percent from the floor and turned the ball over just eight times.
Otterbein (16-6, 10-5), which remains tied with Baldwin-Wallace for third place in the conference standings, shot 50.8 percent, including a sizzling 54.8-percent clip in the first half on its way to a 45-39 halftime lead.
Senior Shalena Hawkins (Cincinnati, Ohio) and juniors Rebekah Will (Millbury, Ohio) and Stacy Timmerman (New Bremen, Ohio) tallied 15 points apiece to lead Capital. Timmerman added six rebounds and six assists in a fine all-around effort.
Senior Hilary Kuhns (Fairfield, Ohio; at right) added 12 points, five rebounds and three blocks.
The Crusaders hung with the host Cardinals for a majority of the game before Otterbein took a 12-point lead at the 11:35 mark of the second half. Capital never got closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
"Our kids played really hard tonight, and I'm proud of their effort," Capital coach Dixie Jeffers said. "We need to regroup and be ready to get a win at home this weekend as we try and move up in the conference standings in preparation for the OAC Tournament."
The Cardinals took advantage of 15 offensive rebounds, turning them into 20 second-chance points. The Crusaders' bench, led by nine points from sophomore Jamie Caton (Hilliard, Ohio), outscored Otterbein reserves 11-3.
Capital hosts Baldwin-Wallace this Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Capital Center. A win would put the Crusaders back in good position to earn a No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the conference tournament, which would result in a first-round bye and a home game in the second round.
Four players scored in double figures for the Crusaders (14-8 overall, 9-6 OAC), who shot 49.3 percent from the floor and turned the ball over just eight times.
Otterbein (16-6, 10-5), which remains tied with Baldwin-Wallace for third place in the conference standings, shot 50.8 percent, including a sizzling 54.8-percent clip in the first half on its way to a 45-39 halftime lead.
Senior Shalena Hawkins (Cincinnati, Ohio) and juniors Rebekah Will (Millbury, Ohio) and Stacy Timmerman (New Bremen, Ohio) tallied 15 points apiece to lead Capital. Timmerman added six rebounds and six assists in a fine all-around effort.
Senior Hilary Kuhns (Fairfield, Ohio; at right) added 12 points, five rebounds and three blocks.
The Crusaders hung with the host Cardinals for a majority of the game before Otterbein took a 12-point lead at the 11:35 mark of the second half. Capital never got closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
"Our kids played really hard tonight, and I'm proud of their effort," Capital coach Dixie Jeffers said. "We need to regroup and be ready to get a win at home this weekend as we try and move up in the conference standings in preparation for the OAC Tournament."
The Cardinals took advantage of 15 offensive rebounds, turning them into 20 second-chance points. The Crusaders' bench, led by nine points from sophomore Jamie Caton (Hilliard, Ohio), outscored Otterbein reserves 11-3.
Capital hosts Baldwin-Wallace this Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Capital Center. A win would put the Crusaders back in good position to earn a No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the conference tournament, which would result in a first-round bye and a home game in the second round.
