COLUMBUS – The Capital University women's basketball team fell, 83-68, against Thomas More on Saturday afternoon at the Capital Center.

Capital (1-2 overall), opened the game trading baskets back and forth with a strong Thomas More (3-0 overall) opponent, as both teams were even through the first 18 points of the game.

The Crusaders used balanced scoring throughout the opening 13 minutes of play, as senior forward Jamie Caton (Hilliard, Ohio) and junior center Monica Heckman (Pitsburg, Ohio) each tallied eight points apiece in the opening frame, while combining for six rebounds.

After the score was tied at 18 apiece in the first half, the Saints then took a 21-20 lead with just over six minutes remaining until halftime, before going on a 9-0 run and extending their lead to 10 points, as the Crusaders called a timeout to stop the run.

Coming out of the timeout, senior guard Cookie Geroski managed to draw a foul on the Saints, leading to two made free throws for the Crusaders, trimming the deficit to eight points.

However, the Saints would put together a 10-2 run to close out the opening half of play, leading 40-24 at the break.

At halftime, Thomas More recorded a 46.9 percent shooting mark from the field, as opposed to Capital's mark of 34.6 percent from the field.

As the second half of play unfolded, the Saints continued their scoring pace, as the Crusaders attempted to play catch-up the remainder of the game.

Late in the game, the Crusaders put together an 8-3 run, cutting the deficit to 15 points, but to no avail, as the Saints pulled away down the stretch to close out the game, 83-65.

Leading the way for the Crusaders was Heckman, who scored 15 points and nine rebounds.

Caton and Geroski recorded 13 points apiece, including five rebounds and four assists, respectively.

In total, Capital shot 37.5 percent from the field, including 16-22 from the foul line.

With the loss, the Crusaders take their 1-2 record on the road to face Ohio Wesleyan on Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. in Delaware, Ohio.