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The Capital University women's basketball team made a desperate push in the final five minutes but was unable to overcome a double-digit deficit Saturday in a 77-74 setback at John Carroll in an Ohio Athletic Conference affair in University Heights, Ohio.

The Crusaders (13-8 overall, 8-6 OAC) made 51.8 percent of their shot attempts and scored 49 second-half points, but were unable to dig out of a 10-point hole midway through the second period.

"We missed too many opportunities going down the stretch and were unable to get a stop," Capital coach Dixie Jeffers said.

Capital held John Carroll (12-9, 6-8) to 38.5 percent shooting, but the Blue Streaks converted 31-of-43 (72.1 percent) at the free throw line compared to 12-of-20 (60 percent) for the Crusaders.

Junior guard Cookie Geroski (Fostoria, Ohio; above) tallied a team-best 18 points to go along with five rebounds. Senior forward Stacy Timmerman (New Bremen, Ohio) added 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists, while junior forward Jamie Caton (Hilliard, Ohio) registered 14 points and four steals.

Timmerman is now just three points shy of 1,000 for her career.

In the first half, the Crusaders led by as many as five and, following a free throw by freshman guard Shelby Sigman (Bellbrook, Ohio), held a 25-21 advantage with 1:23 to go in the first half. The Blue Streaks quickly responded, knocking down 7-of-8 free throws in the final minute of the period to take a 28-25 lead into the locker room.

Capital retook the lead early in the second half and held a 31-29 advantage with 18:05 to play after a lay-up by Caton. John Carroll quickly posted a 10-0 run, however, to take an eight-point lead at the 15:31 mark. The Blue Streaks wouldn't relinquish their advantage for the rest of the game.

The Crusaders cut the deficit to 60-56 with 4:24 to play following a lay-up by Timmerman, then made it a four-point game again with 3:07 on the clock after a pair of free throws by freshman forward Kristin Reisinger (Washington Court House, Ohio).

Geroski, who recorded 16 of her 18 points after halftime, made it 75-72 with 18 seconds left but the Blue Streaks made a free throw six seconds later to make it a two-possession contest.

Capital hosts its final regular season game at the Capital Center this Wednesday against Marietta. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Prior to tip-off, Timmerman and fellow senior Rebekah Will (Millbury, Ohio) will be recognized before playing their final regular season home contest.