BOX SCORE
HANOVER, Ind. – The Capital University women’s basketball team nearly overcame an 18-point second half deficit before falling, 60-56 to Washington (Mo.) on Friday at the Elanore Moyer Classic hosted by Hanover College.
The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Capital (5-2) despite posting a 41-33 lead in rebounding and an 18-2 advantage in second chance points. CU was held to just 28.6 percent shooting overall on the night while hitting just 7-of-31 shots from the field in the first half.
Senior Caitlin Elsass (Batavia, Ohio/Clermont Northeastern HS) led the Crusaders with a double-double that included team-highs of 14 points and 12 rebounds to go along with three blocks. All 14 of Elsass’ points and seven of her rebounds came in the second half of play.
Classmate Heather McAlpin (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain HS) finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks while adding one steal.
Fellow senior Daniele Sanna (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington North HS) posted nine points, four rebounds and two steals for Capital which fell to 2-2 in non-conference play this season.
After falling behind by as many as 18 points early in the second half, Capital began to chip away at Washington’s lead and put the game within single digits for good on a jumper Kristen Richardson with 7:33 remaining. CU would go on an 11-0 run to pull within two at 51-49 with 5:08 left as Caitlin Elsass drilled a pair of free throws. The Crusaders would get to within one on two different occasions including 57-56 with 48 seconds left on a jumper by Elsass, but Capital could not get control of the game. Washington closed out the contest with with a layup and free throw with 18 seconds left to hold on for a 60-56 decision.
Capital returns to action at the Elanore Moyer Classic on Saturday with a game against Carnegie Mellon at 2 p.m. CU beat CMU, 52-36 in the season opener for both clubs on Nov. 21.