COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A solid fourth quarter comeback effort by the Capital University women's basketball team proved to be too-little, too-late as the Comets fell to Muskingum University by a final score of 58-68. 

Capital did have several players perform well in the game, led in scoring by Laney Murphy with 17 points and Maddi Weiland with 13 points. Demi Brewer facilitated play by dishing out a new career-best eight assists. 

On the glass, both Murphy and Weiland helped lead the efforts. Murphy recorded a career-high eight rebounds, while Weiland hauled in eight of her own. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first 10 minutes of action saw both teams scratch away to put points on the board and garner control of the tempo. Eventually, Muskingum went ahead by two scores, with just over a minute left in the first.

There, Kaylee Cyphers looked to breathe a bit of life into the Comets as she converted a big 3-pointer with 29 seconds left. Unfortunately, the visitors responded with one of their own to take a 17-13 lead into the first break. 

That big 3-pointer by Muskingum just before the first break set the tone for how they would emerge for the second quarter. The Muskies scored the first eight points of the frame in quick succession, building a 12-point lead. 

Fortunately for the Comets, a layup from Maddie Dougoud and a 3-pointer from Laney Murphy got Capital going for the quarter and closing the score to 25-18. The Comets were able to keep the run going as they eventually closed the quarter with the score reading 32-27 in favor of the Muskies. Maddi Weiland and Gabby Ledbetter combined for five points late on to close the halftime score just before the intermission. 

With the added boost just before the half, Capital came out of the locker room with a little more pep in their step as they eventually closed the score down to 37-36. The Comets got positive contributions from Brooke Ommert, Laney Murphy, Kaylee Cyphers and Maddi Weiland in the quick run. Demi Brewer dished out two assists to help facilitate the run as well. 

Eventually, the Comet run fizzled out as Muskingum closed the third quarter on a 14-2 run, extending their lead back out to a healthy margin starting the final 10 minutes of play. 

In the fourth quarter, Capital came out looking to find a way back in the game – which they did fairly successfully. Strong play by Maddi Weiland and Laney Murphy saw the Comets trim what had been a 11-point deficit down to as few as four points. 

Unfortunately for the Comets, Muskingum regained themselves in just enough time to get a few defensive stops and convert their own efforts to eventually take the game by a 10-point margin at 68-58. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
All-in-all the game was played fairly carelessly by both sides as there were a combined 40 turnovers. Capital did better at taking advantage of the free possessions, scoring 27 points, compared to Muskies' 19 off turnovers. 

Both teams shot the ball at a relatively similar clip as Capital held just a slightly better field goal percentage (42%) over Muskingum (36.4%). 

Demi Brewer has assumed lead responsibility assisting the basketball and dished out four or more assists for the fourth time this season. She boasts 40 assists to her name in total – a team high. 

THE OPPONENT
The Muskies were led on offense by Taylor DeMassimo and Leia Smith who each had 10 points. DeMassimo also led the team in rebounds with eight. Abby Jones followed closely behind with seven.

UP NEXT
Capital will remain home for their next contest as they will welcome No. 10 ranked John Carroll to the Capital Center. That game will take place this Saturday, January 29th at 2 p.m.