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Box Score

The Capital University men's basketball team concluded its non-conference portion of the regular season schedule Thursday with a 68-45 victory at Denison in a contest at Livingston Gymnasium in Granville, Ohio.

After leading 31-25 at halftime, the Crusaders (8-4 overall) opened up a 15-point lead early in the second half and didn't look back. Senior forward Spencer Niekamp (St. Henry, Ohio) posted a game-high 22 points, helped along by five 3-pointers, to go along with six rebounds. Senior guard Mitch Westerheide (Ft. Loramie, Ohio) contributed with 15 points and four assists.

Capital, which has now won six straight contests, held Denison (4-8) to just 21.7 percent shooting in the second half and 31.4 percent for the game. The Crusaders knocked down 12-of-26 (46.2 percent) from 3-point range while holding the Big Red to 5-for-19 from distance on the other end.

Capital controlled the affair early, taking a 12-0 lead at the 16:48 mark on six points apiece from Niekamp and Westerheide. The Big Red settled in, however, and took a 25-24 lead with 3:42 left in the first half. The Crusaders then made a 7-0 run to take a six-point margin into the locker room.

Capital continued its scoring run early in the second half, leading by 15 with 14:07 to play following a 3-pointer by Westerheide. From there, the Crusaders led by no less than six and finished the victory going away.

Senior guard Tim Congrove (Circleville, Ohio) added eight points, while junior forward Ben Jackson (Columbus, Ohio) grabbed a team-best eight rebounds, including four offensive boards. Capital doubled up the Big Red in made free throws, 16-8, and took advantage of 14 Denison turnovers with 18 points off the miscues.

The Crusaders resume Ohio Athletic Conference play this Saturday against cross-town rival Otterbein. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. at the Capital Center. The game is the first half of a men's-women's doubleheader against the Cardinals.