WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Capital University men's basketball team knocked down more than half its shots from the floor and was perfect from the free throw line in the second half Saturday en route to a 78-60 victory over cross-town rival Otterbein in an Ohio Athletic Conference contest at the Rike Center.

The Crusaders (5-7 overall, 2-3 OAC) shot 52.4 percent from the field and made all 17 of their free throw attempts after halftime in front of a raucous crowd.

For the game, Capital shot 48.1 percent overall and 22-of-23 (95.7 percent) from the free throw line. The Crusaders held the Cardinals (2-11, 1-5) to 38.2 percent shooting, including a 29.6 percent clip in the second half.

Sophomore guard AJ Dixon (Hilliard, Ohio) led all scorers with 24 points and tied for the team lead with eight rebounds. Senior forward Ben Jackson (Columbus, Ohio) totaled 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, while junior wing Mike Augustine (Lexington, Ohio) posted 10 points, four rebounds and three blocks.

Freshman guard Tyrel Jackson (Dublin, Ohio) recorded six of his nine points in the first half, hitting three 3-pointers for the contest. Freshman guard Curt Geise (Delphos, Ohio) registered all nine of his points in the second half and knocked down all seven of his attempts at the free throw line.

Tyrel Jackson's 3-pointer at the 16:48 mark capped a 10-2 Capital run to start the contest. Otterbein countered with a 10-0 run to take a 23-18 advantage with 8:11 to play in the period.

The Crusaders recovered and took a 36-34 lead into the locker room.

The two teams traded punches to star the second half before Capital opened up a double-digit lead midway through the frame at 60-48 with 10:01 to play following three free throws by Geise.

The Cardinals trimmed their deficit down to single digits at 64-56 with 5:48 on the clock, but the Crusaders responded with a game-clinching 12-0 run, highlighted by Ben Jackson's 3-point play at the 5:01 mark and seven straight points by Dixon.

Capital outscored Otterbein 18-7 on second-chance points and finished with a 40-25 advantage on the glass.

The Crusaders begin a three-game home stand Wednesday against Muskingum. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. at the Capital Center.