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Box Score

WHEATON, Ill. – The Capital University men's basketball team recovered from a frustrating 35-point defeat in its season opener to defeat Alma (Mich.) 83-73 Friday night on the second day of the Lee Pfund Classic at Wheaton, Ill.

One night after totaling just 45 points, the Crusaders (1-1 overall) nearly equaled that number in the first half on Friday and shot 52.7 percent for the game while holding the Scots to 44.4 percent from the floor.

Senior wing Michael Sommer led Capital with a career-high 36 points, including scores on a two-handed, transition dunk and a four-point play. The Celina, Ohio, native shot 11-of-19 from the floor, including 6-of-10 from 3-point range, and grabbed nine rebounds.

"As a team, we bought into what Coach has been telling us," Sommer said. "The rest of our guys were setting good screens and running our offense, and that's how I was able to get open and knock down some shots.

"We knew we had a lot to prove to ourselves and our coaches after last night's game. No matter what, we were going to fight as a team and family to get a win tonight."

Senior forward Spencer Niekamp (St. Henry, Ohio) added 20 points and five rebounds, while junior forward Ben Jackson (Columbus, Ohio) contributed with eight points and seven boards. Senior guard Mitch Westerheide (Ft. Loramie, Ohio) posted team highs of six assists and three steals.

Capital looked comfortable offensively in the first half, shooting 55 percent from the field to take a 42-31 advantage into the locker room. Niekamp posted 16 points in the period on a strong mix of post moves and shots from 15 feet and out, while Sommer recorded 10, including a put-back from an offensive rebound to conclude first-half scoring.

"We came together and did the little things right, and really clicked well as an offense," Sommer said. "As long as we're playing together, it doesn't matter who does the scoring."

The Crusaders held on in the second despite an early push in the period by Alma (0-1), leading by as many as 15 at several points in the frame. Capital knocked down 16-of-18 from the free throw line, an 88.9 percent clip.

Capital shot 60 percent from 3-point range as a team and out-rebounded the Scots 36-29.

The Crusaders open up their home schedule this Tuesday against fellow 2012 NCAA Tournament participant and non-conference rival Wittenberg. Tip-off at the Capital Center is slated for 7 p.m.