BOX SCORE
COLUMBUS, Ohio - In a game in which they controlled from start to finish, the Capital University women’s basketball team defeated visiting Heidelberg University (6-18, 3-14) going away 82-54.
The Crusaders (18-5) scored the evening’s first 15 points, never led by less than 12 points, and at one point held a 35 point advantage. With the victory, Capital earned at least a share of the Ohio Athletic Conference regular season title with a 14-3 record, as well as clinching the top seed for the OAC tournament.
The win lifted CU’s home record to 8-0 on the season and gave the Crusaders the opportunity to play at its own Capital Center for the final regular season game on Saturday against Otterbein and throughout the OAC Tournament.
“We really wanted to start strong tonight and make a statement,” head coach Dixie Jeffers said. “Our mission is to only focus on Otterbein. We want to finish out this year right and win the conference outright. We don’t want to share it with anyone.”
Capital controlled the game on both ends of the floor, winning the rebounding battle 52-29, while also limiting Heidelberg to 30.5 percent shooting for the game (18-for-59). Senior Daniele Sanna (Pickerington, Ohio/ Pickerington North HS) spearheaded the Crusaders with a career-best 11 rebounds.
“Coach pumped us up before the game about closing out these last two games before the tournament. Our goal was to run early and often, and to start the game with a quick lead to build on,” Sanna said, who also scored 17 points and forced two steals. “We’re not a first-half team, so it was really nice to play well from the beginning.”
On offense, Capital’s inside game was too much for Heidelberg to handle. The Crusaders outscored the ‘Berg in the paint 40-18. The Crusaders’ aggressiveness inside led to a slew of Heidelberg fouls, leading to Capital’s 24-7 free throw conversion advantage.
“Our game is trying to manufacture points inside, which we were able to do tonight,
said junior Audrey Mitchell (Lithopolis, Ohio/ Bloom-Carroll HS), who contributed to the win with five points and three rebounds. “Eventually, we drew attention from the defense inside, and we were left open to take outside shots.”
Junior Kristen Richardson (Oxford, Ohio/ Talawanda HS) paced all scorers with 21 points on 8-for-11 shooting, while also hauling down six rebounds. Senior Caitlin Elsass (Batavia, Ohio/ Clermont Northeastern HS) scored nine points (on 3-of-5 shooting) and added six rebounds.
Capital will close out the regular season on Saturday with a Senior Day game against rival traditional rival Otterbein in second half of a basketball doubleheader. The men will play at 2 p.m. with the women following at 4 p.m. Head Coach Dixie Jeffers will honored before the start of Saturday’s second game for her 500th win at Capital with the CU seniors honored following the contest.
“This rivalry is huge. Every game is big in the OAC, but the Otterbein game is really huge. The energy and atmosphere in the building will be great. I wish we could play tomorrow.”
Wednesday’s win also setup a meeting in the OAC Quarterfinals with Ohio Northern on Tuesday at the Capital Center. Tipoff will be at 7:30 p.m. and fans will be able to follow the game with FREE Live Audio and Live Stats at www.CapitalCrusaders.net.