COLUMBUS – A dominating performance on both ends of the floor led to the Capital University women's basketball team notching their fourth straight Ohio Athletic Conference victory on Saturday afternoon, as the Crusaders defeated Mount Union, 70-50.

A turnover ridden trail in the early going left both Capital and Mount Union struggling to find much of a rhythm on the offensive end, as both teams combined for 13 turnovers in the first seven minutes of play.

However, following a pair of made free throws by the Purple Raiders, the Crusaders put together a 12-2 run, taking a 19-9 advantage with just under nine minutes remaining in the opening half.

Capital then extended its lead to as many as 20 points in the first half, as stellar defense and strong offense during that stretch by sophomore's in forward Kristen Thompson (Cincinnati, Ohio) and guard Simmone Gage (Dayton, Ohio), as well as senior forward Jamie Caton (Hilliard, Ohio), led to the Crusaders wearing down the Purple Raiders defensively.

At halftime, the Crusaders were shooting 46.8 percent, while holding the Purple Raiders to an 18.5 percent shooting mark, giving Capital a 34-16 advantage.

In the second half, much of the same continued for the Crusaders on both ends of the court, as three made free throws by Caton and made jumpers by Gage and fellow sophomore Nina Napolitano (Akron, Ohio) led to Capital increasing its lead again to 20 points with 15:33 remaining.

The Purple Raiders attempted to ramp up their defensive pressure on the Crusaders, but to no avail, as Capital quickly entered the bonus just under eight minutes into the final half.

With just under 11:30 left to play in the game, Caton led Heckman to the basket on a beautiful bounce pass in the low post, once again extending the Crusaders lead to 20 points, followed by Gage tipping the inbounds pass off a Purple Raider player for a turnover.

The Crusaders opened up their largest lead on the afternoon at 22, following a jumper by Gage, two of her seven points for the game.

As the clock struck the 1:30 mark in the final half of play, the Crusaders regained a 21 point advantage, as they went on to win in the end by 20 points.

Leading the way for the Crusaders was Caton, scoring a game-high 17 points on 6-10 shooting, while recording four assists and three rebounds.

Thompson followed with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Heckman posted nine points and seven rebounds.

Junior guard Shelby Sheets (Fayetville, Ohio) chipped in eight points, three rebounds, and two assists.

Six Capital players checked in with at least seven points on the afternoon.

In total, the Crusaders shot 48 percent for the game, while holding the Purple Raiders to a 29.8 percent mark from the field.

With the win, Capital (12-6 overall) improves to 9-3 in OAC play, as a road test at Wilmington on Feb. 5 is on the horizon for the Crusaders.

Tip-off for that contest is slated for 7:30 p.m.