NEW CONCORD, Ohio – Behind Shelby Sheets' career-high 24 points, the Capital women's basketball team mounted a second half performance that helped them overcome Muskingum University, 68-61, at the Muskingum Recreation Center on Wednesday night.

Senior guard Shelby Sheets (Fayetteville, Ohio) scored 20 of her career-high 24 points and had a near-flawless shooting performance in the second half. She went 4-for-4 from the field, including a 3-pointer, and missed just one of her 12 free throw attempts.

Sheets' 3-point make led off the second half to cut into a four-point deficit they took into the locker room. She also helped the Crusaders regain the lead with her first free throws of the half, which also helped spur a 16-3 run. Of those 16 points, Sheets scored eight of those.

Up 11 points, the Crusaders created enough cushion to maintain the advantage for the duration of the game. Muskingum brought themselves to within three points with 3:46 to go but Capital went on to make six of their next seven free throw attempts down the stretch and took a defensive stand to hold the Fighting Muskies without a bucket on their next six attempts. That stand also included a blocked shot by Colleen Fondessy (Fostoria, Ohio).

Additionally, Fondessy made an impact offensive by scoring eight points in 24 minutes off of the bench. She also pulled down four rebounds.

Three other Capital starters scored eight or more points with junior forward Jaren Francis (Columbus, Ohio/Africentric) and Nina Napolitano (Akron, Ohio) matching Fondessy's output, and junior Shelby Sigman tallying nine.

Simonne Gage (Dayton, Ohio) recorded four steals and dished out five assists in the win.

Mallory Taylor led the Muskies with 14 points and seven rebounds while Taylor Maurer also scored in double figures (11).

The first half belonged to Muskingum after holding Capital to just 36 percent shooting overall and inducing 12 turnovers. Capital turned that around in the second half by shooting a shade over 40 percent and committing just five turnovers, while holding their opponent to under 30 percent shooting.

The Crusaders' win extends their winning streak to five games and signals a season sweep of Muskingum. Capital defeated the Muskies at home, 66-39.

Capital (13-9 overall, 9-6 OAC) maintains its hold on fourth place in the Ohio Athletic Conference standings with three games left to play, two of those on the road. The Crusaders will play rival Otterbein University on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 5 p.m. inside the Rike Center.

Students wishing to join the #OccupyOtterbein movement can still sign up to reserve their space to be transported to either game by bus. Buses will leave at 4:45 p.m. (women's) and 6:45 p.m. (men's) from the Student Union. To sign up, visit the SCE Office in the Student Union.