(UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio) -- Capital University's women's basketball team snapped a five-game Ohio Athletic Conference losing streak, defeating John Carroll University 62-46 Saturday in University Heights.
The Crusaders improved to 12-7 overall and 6-6 in the conference, while the Blue Streaks dropped to 12-7 (7-5 OAC).
Capital started the game on a 20-5 run over the opening 8:49 of the contest. Junior forawrd Caitlin Elsass (Batavia/Clermont Northeastern) scored six of her team-high 14 points during that opening spurt. After that point, the Blue Streaks never got closer than seven points for the remainder of the game.
A 9-2 run in the second half, capped off by a 3-point play from senior forward Tiffany Withers (Pickerington/Pickerington Central), gave the Crusaders a 45-29 lead with 13:14 to go. Capital extended that lead to as many as 22 points on several occassions.
Capital outrebounded John Carroll 51-37 in the game and limited the Blue Streaks to just 29.2 percent shooting. Elsass also grabbed seven rebounds, while sophomore guard Chelsea Ruoff (Grove City/Grove City) scored 12 points and tallied seven rebounds off the bench, her second consecutive double-digit scoring performance. Junior guard Heather McAlpin (Cincinnati/Colerain) had 10 points, a game-high nine rebounds, three blocks, three assists and two steals.
Lianna Jennings led the Blue Streaks with 16 points, six assists and six rebounds. John Carroll connected on just 4-of-22 3-point attempts for the game.
Capital returns home for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff Wednesday against Marietta College in The Capital Center.