COLUMBUS – The Capital University men's basketball team kicked off its home portion of the 2013-14 season Sunday night with an economical performance on both ends of the floor, downing Mount St. Joseph 75-68 in a non-conference affair at the Capital Center.

The Crusaders (2-2 overall) shot 29-of-39 from the free throw line and held the Lions to just 41.2 percent shooting from the floor.

Capital shot 46.7 percent (21-for-45) in the contest as four different players scored in double figures.

Sophomore guard AJ Dixon (Hilliard, Ohio) led the Crusaders' balanced offensive effort with 18 points to go along with three steals. Senior forwards Ben Jackson (Columbus, Ohio) and Jared Cashen (Norwalk, Ohio) were each solid off the bench, contributing 13 and 11 points, respectively, and combining to shoot 8-of-9 from the floor and 8-of-10 at the free throw line.

Junior guard Adam Blake (Kingston, Ohio) knocked down six free throws en route to a 10-point, five-rebound effort. Junior forward Andrew Bolka (Xenia, Ohio) had eight points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.

After a 7-1 Capital start through the first four minutes of action, Mount St. Joseph (3-2) responded quickly to take a 13-12 advantage with 13:28 to play in the first half.

The two teams traded the lead four times and were tied four times, as the Lions grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed free throw in the closing seconds and converted a layup to make it 31-31 heading into the locker room.

The Crusaders grabbed the lead on the opening possession of the second half on a layup by junior wing Michael Green (Dublin, Ohio) and didn't relinquish the advantage.

Mount St. Joseph closed to within 45-44 at the 13:20 mark, but freshman guard Tyrel Jackson (Dublin, Ohio) knocked down a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to give Capital a two-possession lead.

From that point, the Crusaders never led by fewer than two. Capital knocked down 9-of-10 from the free throw line in the closing 1:04 of the contest to seal the home win.

The Crusaders open Ohio Athletic Conference play this Wednesday at home against Heidelberg. Tip-off at the Capital Center is slated for 7 p.m. Capital begins its conference season seeking its third consecutive OAC regular season title.