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Box Score

The Capital University women's basketball team performed soundly on both ends of the floor Friday in a 72-54 victory over Centre (Ky.) on the first day of the Julie Costello Memorial Classic at Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, Ky.

The Crusaders (3-1 overall) shot 47.5 percent from the floor for the contest, including a 56-percent clip in the second half, while holding the Colonels to 35.3 percent shooting in the second.

Junior forward Jamie Caton (Hilliard, Ohio) posted a game-high 19 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists to lead Capital. Making her collegiate debut, freshman guard Simmone Gage (Dayton, Ohio) tallied 11 points, a team-best six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Junior guard Cookie Geroski (Fostoria, Ohio) added a team-high eight assists.

"Our defense was very good, and it was probably the best game we've played so far," Capital coach Dixie Jeffers said. "Jamie Caton did a good job, and having Simmone in there allowed us to be 'full go'. We're starting to be more at ease with each other and more comfortable, and as a result, the intensity is starting to pick up."

The Crusaders shot a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line and forced Centre (1-3) into 23 turnovers for the affair.

The Colonels took an early 15-11 advantage at the 14:05 mark, but Capital responded and took the lead for good with 5:37 to play in the first half after a 3-pointer by Caton.

Centre would get no closer than six points in the second half as the Crusaders led by as many as 23 in the frame.

Gage and freshman guard Shelby Sigman (seven points) led Capital reserves to a 30-17 edge in points off the bench. The Crusaders also held a 34-24 margin on points in the paint.

Capital concludes tournament play tomorrow against host Thomas More, which is ranked No. 14 in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m.