COLUMBUS – The Capital University women's basketball team trailed by double digits early and never recovered Monday, falling 84-66 against St. Vincent in a non-conference contest at the Capital Center.

The Crusaders (5-4) fell behind 14-2 in the first five-plus minutes of the game and were unable to mount a home comeback, later trailing 27-8 midway through the first half and 43-22 at the break.

Junior Rebekah Will (Millbury, Ohio) paced Capital with 18 points, five rebounds and four steals, while sophomore Cookie Geroski (Fostoria, Ohio; at right) added 11 points, six rebounds, six assists and a team-high six steals.

A member of the Presidents' Athletic Conference, the Bearcats (8-1) shot a blistering 57.1 percent from the field, including a 62.5 percent clip in the second half. St. Vincent made six of its nine 3-pointers in the first half.

The Crusaders forced 26 turnovers, but were unable to take advantage on the offensive end, shooting 39.3 percent from the floor and 13-of-21 from the free throw line.

After a tumultuous first half, Capital came out aggressively in the second as Will knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to whittle the deficit down to 46-30 with 17:40 on the clock. The Crusaders held it near that margin until the Bearcats made it a 68-39 game with 9:47 left thanks to an 11-1 run.

Senior Shalena Hawkins (Cincinnati, Ohio), Capital's leading scorer, posted 11 points and five rebounds.

Monday's game was the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

The Crusaders return to play this Wednesday against Ohio Athletic Conference foe Ohio Northern. Tip-off at the Capital Center is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday's contest is the last of the calendar year for Capital.