COLUMBUS – An efficient offensive and defensive effort led to an 18 point victory over Ohio Athletic Conference leader Mount Union on Monday night, as the Capital University men's basketball team handed the Purple Raiders their first conference loss of the season at the Capital Center.

The Purple Raiders came into tonight's game having won ten in-a-row, including a perfect 7-0 mark in OAC play, while the Crusaders were 4-6 in their last 10 games with a 3-4 record in conference play.

Senior forward Ben Jackson (Columbus, Ohio) played a perfect individual first half for the Crusaders, totaling eight points on 4-4 shooting from the field, while also capitalizing on both free throw attempts in the opening frame.

Junior forward Andrew Bolka (Xenia, Ohio) led the Crusaders at the half with nine points on a 2-3 shooting mark and 5-10 mark from the foul line, while sophomore guard AJ Dixon (Hilliard, Ohio) connected on the Crusaders' lone two three-point shots in the opening period, finishing with seven points at the half.

Neither team managed to gain much control in the momentum department the first half, as a total of 47 foul shots were attempted between the two teams on a combined 33 fouls. Both teams managed to convert on the majority of those foul shots, as Capital made 17-26 foul shots, while Mount Union capitalized on 14-21 from the charity stripe.

Despite the vast array of foul calls, the Crusaders managed to post a 10-21 shooting mark, en route to a 39-35 halftime lead.

As the second half of play unfolded, the Crusaders offense caught fire at the 16 minute mark, as Jackson's layup inside led to Capital extending its seven point lead to 14, thanks to a 9-2 run.

Dixon and freshman guard Curt Geise (Delphos, Ohio) helped boost Capital's scoring attack from behind the arc in the second period, combining for five three pointers in the final half of play.

The Crusaders extended their lead to as many as 22 points in the second half, before eventually closing out the Purple Raiders, 88-70.

Leading the way for the Crusaders was Jackson, playing a perfect game with a game-high 20 points on a 6-6 shooting mark from the field, while also going 8-8 from the foul line and pulling in six rebounds on the night.

Dixon finished the game with 18 points to go along with seven assists and six rebounds, with the majority of his points coming from 5-9 shooting from three-point range.

Bolka recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Geise also posted a perfect game with 12 points on 3-3 shooting from the field and 2-2 from the foul line.

In total, the Crusaders shot 55.8 percent, while holding the Purple Raiders to 38.9 percent shooting for the game.

With the victory, Capital (7-8 overall, 4-4 OAC) returns to .500 in OAC play, as they prepare to travel to Marietta on Wednesday evening for its second of three games this week.

Tip-off for the game in Marietta is slated for 7:30 p.m.