The Capital University men's basketball team used a balanced scoring effort and white-hot shooting in the first half Saturday night to defeat Thomas More 85-69 in a non-conference affair at Crestview Hills, Ky.

The Crusaders (1-0 overall), playing in the first of a three-game road stretch to start the 2013-14 season, shot 59.3 percent in the first half and 52 percent for the game. Capital made 8-of-17 (47.1 percent) from 3-point range and 25-of-34 (73.5 percent) from the free throw line.

All five starters finished in double-figure scoring for the Crusaders. Junior wing Michael Green (Dublin, Ohio), a Chaminade (Hawaii) transfer playing in his first contest with Capital, paced the Crusaders with 17 points, including seven free throws. Sophomore guard AJ Dixon (Hilliard, Ohio) added 15 points, knocking down nine free throws.

Junior forward Daniel Ocke (Sidney, Ohio) totaled 11 points and nine rebounds. Junior forward Andrew Bolka (Xenia, Ohio) added 10 points and nine rebounds, while freshman guard Tyrel Jackson (Dublin, Ohio) contributed with 10 points and three assists in his first collegiate start.

Senior forward Ben Jackson (Columbus, Ohio) shot 4-for-5 to finish with nine points off the bench.

Green hit a 3 on the first possession, and Capital never trailed in the affair.

The Saints (0-1) cut the Crusaders' lead down to 27-20 after a pair of free throws with 4:34 to play in the opening half. Capital regained its double-digit advantage after five straight points by Green to make it 32-20 at the 4:00 mark.

A layup by Jackson with five seconds to play in the half matched the Crusaders' largest advantage of the half at 17, and Capital led 43-29 at the break.

In the second half, Thomas More cut the Crusaders' lead down to seven at 58-51 with 11:22 to play, but Capital responded again, getting five straight points from Dixon and a layup by Ocke to push its advantage to 65-51 with 9:29 on the clock.

The Crusaders didn't relinquish their double-digit lead the rest of the way, leading by as many as 18 and as few as 10.

Capital resumes non-league play Wednesday at local non-conference rival Wittenberg. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. in Springfield, Ohio.