Box Score COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University women's basketball team held tough with nationally-ranked Hope College but the Flying Dutch used a strong inside game to pull away to deliver a 69-60 defeat to the Crusaders inside the Capital Center, Friday evening.
Capital (6-5) held an eight-point lead early in the contest while matching the Flying Dutch's up-tempo play. Senior Shelby Sheets (Fayetteville, Ohio) helped the Crusaders build that lead with nine or her team-leading 15 points during that run that spanned over the first 11 minutes of the game.
Hope (11-1), ranked No. 10 in the most recent USA Today Coaches' Poll and No. 13 by D3Hoops.com, erased that lead with contributions from multiple players and then went on to take the lead when Madison Geers hit a three-pointer. A pair of free throws by the Dutch helped extend their lead to five, 31-26, heading into the half.
While the game was still in reach, Hope continued to hit the boards to help them bulk up their lead to double digits. The Crusaders were unable to contain Hope center Rebekah Llorens, who posted 16 points and nine rebounds in the second half alone. Six of those rebounds were on the offensive end. At one point, Llorens scored eight straight points for Hope, setting up Brittany Berry's three ball that put the Dutch up 50-40.
Hope's lead flexed to 14 points with four minutes to go but Capital's fight had not left the building. Junior Jaren Francis (Columbus, Ohio/Africentric) worked the inside for two points and Jenna Erwin followed up with one of her three treys on the night to close the gap to six points, 66-60. However, a turnover on the Crusaders' ensuing possession closed the door for a comeback with under 20 seconds to go.
Llorens finished the night with a game-high 23 points and 12 rebounds. Teammate Maura McAfee quietly collected a double-double as well, posting 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Erwin concluded with 13 points and seven rebounds. Nine of her points came from long range and four of her rebounds were offensive boards.
Francis recorded career highs in points (12) and rebounds (9) in 20 minutes off of the bench. She went 6-for-11 shooting from the field.
Kristen Thompson (Cincinnati, Ohio) scored six points but pulled down 12 rebounds to match a season high after missing the last two games.
Capital will play at John Carroll University on Jan. 7 in its next action. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
