The Crusaders (3-4 overall, 1-2 OAC) used defensive pressure in the second half to make up for its 25 percent shooting performance in the first half. Capital induced 15 second-half ONU turnovers to take the ball out of their hands, plus held them to just 21.7 percent shooting in the second frame.

While the defense was working its magic, the offense began making big shots about five minutes into the second half. Junior guard Jenna Erwin (Springfield, Ohio/Southeastern) came off the bench and hit back-to-back threes to generate a spark for Capital. She came back inside the five-minute mark and hit a third triple to bring the deficit to within 10 points for the first time in the half, 59-51.

Battling foul trouble, junior forward Kristen Thompson (Cincinnati, Ohio) continued to work the inside and hit a jumper from the elbow to make it a two-possession game, 59-53. However, that is as close as Capital would get to the Polar Bears (7-2, 3-0) as time became their enemy and they went 1-for-5 shooting the rest of the way, allowing ONU to pull away for the last time.

Erwin scored 10 or more points for the third time this season and for the second consecutive game behind a season-high 14 points against ONU.

Freshman Chelsea Pla (Macedonia, Ohio) also went for 10 or more points for the second straight game by setting a new career high with 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field.

Capital forced the Polar Bears into 21 turnovers, resulting in 24 points in return. Ohio Northern had the advantage on the boards, 50-41, and created 12 points off second chances.

Capital will come back to host rival Otterbein University on Saturday, Dec. 20. Tipoff inside the Capital Center is set for 3 p.m.