COLUMBUS, Ohio – The nationally-ranked Capital University Women's Basketball team jumped out to a fast start, leading by 13 points after the first quarter, alone. The Crusaders got back into the win column with a 66-48 win over Marietta College inside The Capital Center on Wednesday night.

The Crusaders played stout defense, holding the Pioneers to just 27.3 percent from the field for the first quarter and a combined 21.4 percent for the half. The Pioneers missed all 10 of its 3-point shots in the half.

Capital broke out to an 11-2 run to start the game with the combination of Simonne Gage (Dayton, Ohio) and Jenna Erwin (Springfield, Ohio/Southeast) accounting for seven of those points. Gage scored a three-point play the unconventional way to set the tone for the quarter, which ended 21-8 in Capital's favor.

While Marietta struggled offensively, on the other end Capital shot 52.6 percent from the field en route to a 36-17 halftime lead. Senior Jenna Erwin (Springfield, Ohio/ Southeast) led Capital with 11 points while shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, including one 3-pointer, in the first half.

The Pioneers came out shooting better in the second half, outscoring Capital 19-13 in the third quarter. While the Pioneers shooting improved, Capital's 19-point halftime lead was too much to overcome. The Crusaders won 66-48.

Erwin led all scoring with 14 points while recording four rebounds, three steals and one assist. Senior Nina Napolitano (Akron, Ohio), chipped in with 13 points off the bench while shooting 50 percent from the field and 3-of-4 from 3-point range.

Sophomore Meredith Ovies (Franklin, Tenn.) scored a career-high 11 points, while adding two steals.

Senior Simonne Gage also dished out a career-high with 10 assists while adding six rebounds, four steals and seven points.

The Crusaders stout defense held Marietta to just 31.7 percent from the field and only 9.1 percent from 3-point range. The defense also forced 20 turnovers, which led to 18 Capital points.

The Pioneers were led by Amisha Herd's 12 points, and was the only Marietta player in double-digits. Corrie Burkhardt added nine points and nine rebounds.

Capital improves to 16-4 overall and 9-4 in the OAC. The Crusaders return to action on Saturday Feb. 6, at 3 p.m. as they travel to John Carroll University.