COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital women's basketball team used a high-tempo offensive attack to defeat the Otterbein Cardinals 71-58 on Saturday at the Capital Center.

The high-tempo play started in the first half as the Cardinals took a 20-11 lead. Near the midway point of the first half, Capital's 15-0 run sparked by Jenna Erwin's (Springfield, Ohio) momentum-changing three-pointer and then added two free throw shots to help the Crusaders (4-4 overall, 2-2 OAC) grab a lead 26-20 with 6:23 left in the first half. Junior guard Nina Napolitano (Akron, Ohio) scored six of her 14 points during the run. Capital held the lead for the rest of the game.

The Crusaders were 16-for-18 from the free throw line compared to the Cardinals 6-for-10 mark in a second half that saw 24 total fouls. Capital also possessed a large advantage in rebounds holding a 56-29 advantage that led to 16 second-chance points compared to Otterbein's two.

Erwin led Capital with 16 points and four steals. Junior forward Kristen Thompson (Cincinnati, Ohio) contributed 15 points and Napolitano scored 14 off the bench.

The Crusaders return to action in the first game of the Christmas Tournament on Monday, December 29 against The College of Wooster at 7 p.m. at the Capital Center.