(TIFFIN, Ohio)--Capital University's women's basketball team outscored Heidelberg College 34-17 in the second half to get a 59-45 Ohio Athletic Conference win Wednesday in Tiffin. The win moves Capital to 16-8 overall and at 10-7 in the OAC stays in the hunt for a top-four finish and a home game in next week's OAC Tournament. Heidelberg falls to 10-14 overall and 5-12 in the OAC.
Junior Heather McAlpin (Cincinnati/Colerain) scored a game-high 15 points and hauled down a career-best 13 rebounds to lead Capital, while fellow junior Caitlin Elsass (Batavia/Clermont Northeastern) had 14 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Kristen Richardson (Oxford/Talawanda) poured in 12 points and sophomore Chelsea Ruoff (Grove City/Grove City) came off the bench with 10 points and seven rebounds to round out the double figure scorers.
Amanda Campbell had 14 points to pace Heidelberg.
A McAlpin layup gave Capital a six-point lead, 14-8, with 12:34 to go in the first half. Heidelberg then responded with a 10-4 burst over the next three minutes to tie the game at 18-18. The Berg outscored the Crusaders 10-7 the remainder of the half to take a 28-25 lead into the lockers.
Capital opened the second half on a decisive 11-3 run capped by a McAlpin layup with 12:30 remaining to give the Crusaders a 36-31 lead. The Crusaders would never trail again stretching the margin to 17 before settling for the 14-point victory.
Capital finishes the regular season Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Ottebein College in Westerville, Ohio. The game will be broadcast LIVE on the radio on WFCO 90.9 FM and simulcast on line on www.capitalcrusaders.net.