NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- The Capital University men's basketball team took to the road for the second time this season, this time at Westminster College, where they fell by a narrow margin of 81-79 for their first loss of the year. 

Sophomore David Sanford led Capital in scoring with 20 points off the bench. Sanford got going almost immediately off the bench, splashing in his first of four 3-pointers just 21 seconds after subbing into the game. Sanford's scoring came on a readily efficient 50% from the floor (8-of-16 shooting). Even more efficient, Sanford connected on four of his six tries from beyond the arc. 

Alex Eyink increased his early career-high in scoring, putting 14 points up in just his second game wearing the Purple and White. Eyink helped to prove his worth to the team with four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. 

Joe Thompson added 12 points as well, led largely in part to a 3-for-6 effort from three point range.  

Keandre Graves was the lone other Cap player to reach double figures in scoring as he scored 11 points. Seven of his 11 points came at the charity stripe as Graves connected on all but one of his eight free throws throughout the game. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Cap got going right out of the gates as Eyink dropped in a three-pointer on the team's first possession of the game, just six seconds after the opening tip. With the early jumpstart, Cap built up some momentum and kept the Titans at bay for the first nine or so minutes of the game. 

Sanford's substitution with the score tied at 7-7, immediately breathed some life back into Capital and put them up 13-9 within moments. Just after entering the game, Sanford hit two threes on back-to-back possessions. 

With 8:21 left in the first half, Westminster took the lead and did just enough the rest of the game to keep Capital at arm's length. The Purple and White remained within touching distance for the final 28:21 of game time, but could not muster up enough to overtake the Titans. 

With 34 seconds left in the first half, Capital leveled the score at 35 on a running layup from David Sanford. Unfortunately for Cap, the Titans nailed a three-pointer with four seconds left on the clock off the hand of Daniel Ritter. The bucket from Ritter would ultimately prove crucial to the final score and the eventual win for the hosts. 

Westminster came out the second half with a bit more pep in their step, putting some comfort between the two sides, consistently holding leads of eight points for much of the second half. 

With under a minute left in the game, Cap was down 77-71, and made quick work of their offense to immediately threaten to complete the second half comeback. Tyler Schreck and Kaleb Carwford hit back-to-back buckets just a few seconds apart to bring the score to 77-75. 

After the Titans added a layup of their own, Alex Eyink drove strongly to the hoop to bring it back within two.  Unfortunately, Westminster followed it up with a pair of free throws that ultimately sealed the deal. A layup as time expired from Joe Thompson brought the score to the final 81-79. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Sanford's 20 points marked the first game in his career in which he eclipsed double digit scoring, marking his new career high. 

Tyler Schreck led all players with six assists. After pulling down an incredible 19 rebounds at OWU earlier this week, Schreck managed just five boards tonight, tying him with the team lead with Keandre Graves and Joe Thompson. Schreck also led Cap with three steals. 

Capital had multiple statistical advantages including higher free throw percentage, fastbreak points, and fewer turnovers, but Westminster claimed several important statistical advantages of their own. The hosts shot nearly 50% from the floor, as opposed to Cap's 39%. They scored seven more points off turnovers. And they dominated the paint with six more points scored in that area of the floor. 

Daniel Ritter led the Titans with 25 points. Tyler James hauled down nine rebounds. Reese Leone had a team-best five assists. 

UP NEXT
The Purple and White will stay over in New Wilmington as they will take on Thiel College in another non-conference match-up tomorrow evening. Tipoff in the Buzz Ridl Gymnasium is scheduled for 5 p.m.