The Capital University women's basketball team hung with the defending Ohio Athletic Conference champion on the road Saturday, but fell just short in a 60-52 setback at Ohio Northern in a league showdown at Ada, Ohio.

The Crusaders (8-6 overall, 5-3 OAC) led by two at the half, but after a basket by the Polar Bears 10 seconds into the second half, Capital never led again during the contest.

Sophomore forward Kristen Thompson (Cincinnati, Ohio) tied her career high with 19 points, shooting 7-for-12 from the field and 5-of-6 at the free throw line.

Senior forward Jamie Caton (Hilliard, Ohio) and sophomore wing Jenna Erwin (Springfield, Ohio) tallied eight points apiece, while senior guard Cookie Geroski (Fostoria, Ohio) totaled seven points and a team-best nine rebounds.

The Crusaders shot just 30.2 percent (19-for-63) from the field, while Ohio Northern (12-3, 5-3), which received votes in the most recent D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll, finished 23-of-48 (47.9 percent) from the floor. Capital forced 17 turnovers in the affair, converting eight points off the Polar Bears' miscues.

Led by Thompson, the Crusaders' bench outscored Ohio Northern's reserves, 29-21.

In the first half, Ohio Northern jumped out to a 7-1 advantage in the opening three minutes, but Capital quickly answered and tied the game at 9-9 after a lay-up by Thompson with 14:10 on the clock.

The two teams traded scores before the Crusaders eventually took their largest lead of the first half at 21-16 following a 3-pointer by junior guard Shelby Sheets (Fayetteville, Ohio) with 8:07 to play in the period.

Capital took a 28-26 lead into the locker room.

The Polar Bears posted a 9-2 run to start the second half, taking a 35-30 lead with 16:52 to play. Ohio Northern stretched its lead to eight by the 6:20 mark of the period, but the Crusaders continued to fight, knocking their deficit back to three after a lay-up by Geroski made it 48-45 with 4:57 left.

After the two teams exchanged baskets, a 3-pointer by the Polar Bears with 3:18 remaining doubled ONU's advantage, and Capital got no closer than five the rest of the way.

The Crusaders return home to face Marietta this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital Center. Capital will play seven of its final 10 regular season games at home.