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The Capital University men's basketball team made clutch plays when it needed to in a hostile road environment Wednesday, defeating Marietta 70-67 in overtime in an Ohio Athletic Conference showdown at Marietta, Ohio.

With the win, the Crusaders (16-6 overall, 13-2 OAC) retook sole possession of first place in the OAC with three games to play in the regular season and avenged a last-second home loss against the Pioneers earlier this season.

In a contest that featured seven ties and 13 lead changes, neither team led by more than five points at any juncture of the game. The Pioneers (16-6, 12-3) tied the game at 59-59 on a 3-point play with 21 seconds remaining in regulation, and the game would eventually head to overtime after a Capital turnover on the ensuing possession.

In the extra frame, the Crusaders scored five straight points after Marietta opened the period with a bucket, taking a 64-61 advantage with 3:11 on the clock after a pair of free throws by junior forward Ben Jackson (Columbus, Ohio).

The Pioneers regained control with a five-point run of their own at 66-64 with 2:08 to play. Senior wing Michael Sommer (Celina, Ohio) turned the game again with a 3-pointer to put Capital ahead 67-66 with just over a minute to play.

After a Marietta free throw tied the game, Sommer came up big again with a go-ahead lay-up with 19 seconds left, and the Crusaders forced a turnover on the ensuing possession. Following a free throw by freshman guard AJ Dixon (Hilliard, Ohio), Jackson stole the ball before the Pioneers were able to try a game-tying 3-pointer.

Sommer led Capital with 18 points, while senior forward Spencer Niekamp (St. Henry, Ohio) contributed with 15 points and team-bests of eight rebounds and four blocks. Jackson added 12 points and five boards, while senior guard Tim Congrove (Circleville, Ohio; above) posted 11 points, five assists and three steals.

Neither team held a decided advantage in any statistical category. The Crusaders shot 41.9 percent from the floor compared to 41.0 percent for the Pioneers. Each team made six three pointers, and Capital held a slight 12-11 advantage in made free throws (each team attempted 15).

The Crusaders play their final road contest of the regular season this Saturday at cross-town rival Otterbein. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. in Westerville, and the game is the second half of a women's-men's doubleheader against the Cardinals.