COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University men's basketball team used efficient shooting from the arc to defeat the Muskingum Fighting Muskies 95-74 on Wednesday night.

The two teams were evenly matched through much of the first half, resulting in 14 lead changes before the half.

The Crusaders (6-16, 4-11 OAC) held a 35-34 lead with 5:45 left in the half before Daniel Ocke (Sidney, Ohio) connected on the second of his five made shots from beyond the arc. Muskingum (6-16, 3-12 OAC) answered quickly with a 3-pointer of its own from Christian Keller to bring the Fighting Muskies back within one. A minute later, with Capital still leading by one, Ocke connected on another three-ball that was once again quickly answered with a Keller 3-pointer.

Capital attempted to run the remaining seconds off the clock before the half but a Muskingum foul sent Adam Blake (Kingston, Ohio) to the line with seven seconds left. Blake made both of his free throw attempts, giving the ball back to the Fighting Muskies. The inbound pass went to Keller and he took advantage with a long 3-pointer as time expired. The Crusaders led at intermission, 41-42.

The Crusaders used a series of runs to pull away from Muskingum in the second half. The first eight points of the half belonged to Capital. A 3-point shot from Curt Geise (Delphos, Ohio) began a second half that saw the Crusaders shoot 7-for-8 (.875) from 3-point range.

At the 14:55 mark, Capital used an 18-5 run to pull away from Muskingum. Key 3-pointers from Ocke and Tyrel Jackson (Dublin, Ohio) contributed to the run. Geise also accounted for six points.

The Crusaders were 33-for-55 (.600) from the field and 12-for-18 (.667) from the arc. Capital's bench was also a key factor in the win, outscoring Muskingum's bench 48-22.

Geise paced Capital, tying his season-high with 18 points. Ocke held a hot hand from the arc as he shot, 5-for-7 (.714). He recorded a new career-high with 16 points. Aj Dixon (Hilliard, Ohio) chipped in with 15 and a season-high four steals.

Charles English (Cincinnati, Ohio) was all over the court on his way to recording two steals and a new career-high with five assists.

Keller led the way for the Fighting Muskies with 21 points. The guard was 6-for-7 (.857) from 3-point range.

The Crusaders will travel to Westerville, Ohio to face the Otterbein Cardinals (2-13, 3-19 OAC) in the second game of #OccupyOtterbein on Saturday, Feb. 14.