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The Capital University women's basketball team used a commanding rebounding edge and solid free throw shooting Tuesday to post a 66-56 victory over rival Wittenberg in a non-conference affair at Springfield, Ohio.

Four players scored in double figures for the Crusaders (2-1 overall), including senior forward Stacy Timmerman (New Bremen, Ohio), who paced the team with 14 points, 11 rebounds and two steals.

Capital outrebounded the Tigers (1-2) by a 46-29 margin, including 19 offensive boards, which led to 14 second-chance points. The Crusaders also made 19-of-22 (86.4 percent) from the free throw line, including four in the final 30 seconds to ice away the contest.

"Defensively, we played really well," Capital coach Dixie Jeffers said. "Our shot selection was good, but our shots didn't fall in. I give our team credit, they stayed on the boards and they stayed with it on defense, and then we hit some free throws down the stretch."

In a tightly-contested affair that included 10 ties, Capital pulled away in the last six minutes of regulation as junior forward Jamie Caton (Hilliard, Ohio) scored four straight points to start a 10-0 run, turning a 51-50 deficit into a 60-51 advantage with 3:14 to play.

The Crusaders shot just 31.3 percent in the first half but trailed by just three, holding Wittenberg to 40 percent shooting on the defensive end.

Caton (13 points), senior guard Rebekah Will (13) and junior guard Cookie Geroski (10) also posted double-figure scoring for Capital. Geroski also pulled down eight rebounds and tallied three assists.

Sophomore Monica Heckman (Pitsburg, Ohio) contributed with eight points, seven rebounds and a pair of blocks.

"We need to start to play with more rhythm and confidence, and we will as we play more games with this young bunch," Jeffers said.

The Crusaders continue non-league play this weekend at the Julie Costello Classic in Crestview Hills, Ky. Capital plays Centre (Ky.) on Friday at 5 p.m. before closing the tournament with host Thomas More on Saturday at 5 p.m.