COLUMBUS – It wasn't pretty, but the Capital University women's basketball team found a way to get the job done Tuesday night in its home opener at the Capital Center against Wittenberg.
The Crusaders converted 12-of-19 from the free throw line and held the Tigers (1-3 overall) to 23.5 percent shooting en route to a 49-38 non-conference victory.
With the triumph, Capital moved to 3-0 for the season and is surrendering a stingy 43.0 points per contest.
"It's always good to just come out with a win," said junior Stacy Timmerman, who finished with nine points, five rebounds and five assists. "We didn't really take care of the ball very well against their zone … they were doubling us on the inside. But when we slowed down, we started to play better. A win is a win."
The Crusaders overcame an off-shooting night of their own, converting just 34.6 percent of their attempts. Capital did convert seven free throws in the second half and received timely baskets from a number of players.
Sophomore Jamie Caton (Hilliard, Ohio) led the Crusaders with 10 points off the bench, while senior Hilary Kuhns (Fairfield, Ohio) filled the box score with nine points, seven rebounds, two blocks and three steals.
Junior Rebekah Will (Millbury, Ohio) added eight points and a team-high nine rebounds.
Capital stretched its lead to as many as 12 in the first half and took a 10-point lead into the locker room.
Wittenberg would get as close as five in the second. After a pair of free throws narrowed the Crusaders' advantage to 41-34, sophomore Cookie Geroski (Fostoria, Ohio) brought the Capital lead back to 10 with a big 3-pointer with just over three minutes to play.
The Crusaders hung on by moving the ball and eating clock, forcing the Tigers to foul.
While Wittenberg won the battle for second-chance points 21-10, the Crusaders turned 19 Tiger turnovers into 15 points on the other end.
Capital visits Thomas More this Saturday and Sunday for the Julie Costello Memorial Classic. The Crusaders play No. 18 Thomas More Saturday at 4 p.m. before taking on Maryville (Tenn.) on Sunday.
"Communication and ball pressure are always going to be keys for us," Timmerman said. "Thomas More is ranked, so we can't afford to play like we did tonight."
The Crusaders converted 12-of-19 from the free throw line and held the Tigers (1-3 overall) to 23.5 percent shooting en route to a 49-38 non-conference victory.
With the triumph, Capital moved to 3-0 for the season and is surrendering a stingy 43.0 points per contest.
"It's always good to just come out with a win," said junior Stacy Timmerman, who finished with nine points, five rebounds and five assists. "We didn't really take care of the ball very well against their zone … they were doubling us on the inside. But when we slowed down, we started to play better. A win is a win."
The Crusaders overcame an off-shooting night of their own, converting just 34.6 percent of their attempts. Capital did convert seven free throws in the second half and received timely baskets from a number of players.
Sophomore Jamie Caton (Hilliard, Ohio) led the Crusaders with 10 points off the bench, while senior Hilary Kuhns (Fairfield, Ohio) filled the box score with nine points, seven rebounds, two blocks and three steals.
Junior Rebekah Will (Millbury, Ohio) added eight points and a team-high nine rebounds.
Capital stretched its lead to as many as 12 in the first half and took a 10-point lead into the locker room.
Wittenberg would get as close as five in the second. After a pair of free throws narrowed the Crusaders' advantage to 41-34, sophomore Cookie Geroski (Fostoria, Ohio) brought the Capital lead back to 10 with a big 3-pointer with just over three minutes to play.
The Crusaders hung on by moving the ball and eating clock, forcing the Tigers to foul.
While Wittenberg won the battle for second-chance points 21-10, the Crusaders turned 19 Tiger turnovers into 15 points on the other end.
Capital visits Thomas More this Saturday and Sunday for the Julie Costello Memorial Classic. The Crusaders play No. 18 Thomas More Saturday at 4 p.m. before taking on Maryville (Tenn.) on Sunday.
"Communication and ball pressure are always going to be keys for us," Timmerman said. "Thomas More is ranked, so we can't afford to play like we did tonight."
