COLUMBUS – The Capital University women's basketball team shot 59.6 percent from the field Saturday, using its efficient offensive performance to post a 74-62 victory against Muskingum in Ohio Athletic Conference action at the Capital Center.
Four players finished in double-figure scoring for the Crusaders (10-5 overall, 5-3 OAC), who forced Muskingum into 34.3 percent shooting, including an 8-of-32 performance from 3-point range.
"On paper, it looks like we played a solid game, but from a coaching perspective, we need to get better," Capital coach Dixie Jeffers said. "We need to play at a higher level and find the emotions of the game."
Sophomore Jamie Caton (Hilliard, Ohio; at right) paced Capital with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go along with three steals off the bench.
"I felt confident in myself taking it to the basket," Caton said. "When I was stopped, I was able to get it out to our other scorers."
Senior Shalena Hawkins (Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded 14 points on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting to go along with a team-high nine rebounds. Senior Hilary Kuhns (Fairfield, Ohio) and junior Stacy Timmerman (New Bremen, Ohio) posted identical stat lines of 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Muskies (6-9, 1-7) recovered from an early 10-4 deficit to take a 15-14 advantage with 12:29 left in the first half. The Crusaders quickly responded, firing off a 15-2 run, capped by a lay-up from Hawkins, to take a 29-17 lead with 5:40 on the clock.
Muskingum whittled its deficit down to seven by halftime and got within 36-32 in the opening minutes of the second half before Capital scored on four of its next five possessions to regain a double-digit lead at 45-34 with 15:22 to play.
The Crusaders led by no less than 10 over the final 12:45 of the contest, holding on for their fifth win in six home games this season.
Capital, which outscored Muskingum 38-18 in the paint, has won five of its last six games and currently stands in fourth place in the league standings. Players and coaches know the road to the top of the conference isn't easy.
"We definitely need to step it up on defense," Caton said. "We can't be allowing 62 points per game. We need to get out on 3-point shooters and close the middle down."
The Crusaders return to action this Wednesday at Heidelberg. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m. in Tiffin, Ohio.
Four players finished in double-figure scoring for the Crusaders (10-5 overall, 5-3 OAC), who forced Muskingum into 34.3 percent shooting, including an 8-of-32 performance from 3-point range.
"On paper, it looks like we played a solid game, but from a coaching perspective, we need to get better," Capital coach Dixie Jeffers said. "We need to play at a higher level and find the emotions of the game."
Sophomore Jamie Caton (Hilliard, Ohio; at right) paced Capital with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go along with three steals off the bench.
"I felt confident in myself taking it to the basket," Caton said. "When I was stopped, I was able to get it out to our other scorers."
Senior Shalena Hawkins (Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded 14 points on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting to go along with a team-high nine rebounds. Senior Hilary Kuhns (Fairfield, Ohio) and junior Stacy Timmerman (New Bremen, Ohio) posted identical stat lines of 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Muskies (6-9, 1-7) recovered from an early 10-4 deficit to take a 15-14 advantage with 12:29 left in the first half. The Crusaders quickly responded, firing off a 15-2 run, capped by a lay-up from Hawkins, to take a 29-17 lead with 5:40 on the clock.
Muskingum whittled its deficit down to seven by halftime and got within 36-32 in the opening minutes of the second half before Capital scored on four of its next five possessions to regain a double-digit lead at 45-34 with 15:22 to play.
The Crusaders led by no less than 10 over the final 12:45 of the contest, holding on for their fifth win in six home games this season.
Capital, which outscored Muskingum 38-18 in the paint, has won five of its last six games and currently stands in fourth place in the league standings. Players and coaches know the road to the top of the conference isn't easy.
"We definitely need to step it up on defense," Caton said. "We can't be allowing 62 points per game. We need to get out on 3-point shooters and close the middle down."
The Crusaders return to action this Wednesday at Heidelberg. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m. in Tiffin, Ohio.
