COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University women's basketball team returned to the court for the first time in the 2022-2023 season playing host to the Owls of Kenyon College at the Capital Center on Saturday night. The Comets played well in their first showcase of the season and were only behind once when it was 2-0 in favor of Kenyon at the beginning of the game. The bench showed up heavily, scoring 34 points on the night en route to a 60-49 victory.

Capital starts off the season 1-0. Kenyon falls back to .500 at 1-1.

FIRST HALF
Both teams struggled to get going in the first quarter with Kenyon shooting 2-of-16 from the field and Capital edging out the Owls with a 4-16 mark. Sydney Bourquin scored the first points of the season for the Comets – and the first points of her Capital career – to put the Purple and White on the board. From there, Demi Brewer led the squad in scoring with four points in the quarter. At the end of one, the Comets held a five-point lead, 10-5.

Capital's shooting improved in the second quarter, highlighted by a few three-pointers from Bri O'Connor and Laney Murphy. As a team, the Comets shot 5-for-14 from the field and 3-7 from three. O'Connor was the most prolific member of the Purple and White with eight points in the period. CU went into the half leading handily, 30-15.

SECOND HALF
Capital continued to improve on the offensive end coming out of the half, shooting 7-of-18 in the next 10 minutes. Maddi Weiland and Jenna Horsley added two threes to the team total as well as the Comets roared out to a 12-point lead to end the quarter, 46-34. 

As Kenyon continued to work back into the game, the Comets did just enough to stave off any comeback efforts as they nearly went point-for-point in the fourth quarter, and closed out their first win of the season, 60-49. A three from both Laney Murphy and Maddi Weiland, sandwiched around a solid jumper from Samaree Perkins, set the tone for much of the quarter. That tone was capped off by a 3-pointer by Bri O'Connor to give the Comets an even 60 on the night. 

THE NUMBERS
Freshman Samaree Perkins wasted no time in getting her career up and running. She tallied a double-double in her debut with 10 points and 10 rebounds, as well as four assists and one steal.

The Comets were led on the offensive end by sophomore transfer guard Bri O'Connor with 13 points highlighted by 3-for-4 shooting from downtown. She also had five assists, three rebounds, and one steal.

Demi Brewer started her senior campaign strong with eight points on 4-for-6 shooting and eight rebounds along with three assists. 

Sophomore returner Laney Murphy hit two threes on her way to an eight-point night along with eight rebounds.

Maddi Weiland aced both of her three's and paired those with three free throws for a nine point night. She also had a great defensive display with five rebounds, four blocks and a steal. 

OPPOSITION LEADERS
Points - Katie Orefice (22)
Assists - Katie Orefice (2)
Rebounds - Katie Orefice (10)
Blocks - Claudia Cooke (2)
Steals - Claudia Cook (3)

UP NEXT
The Comets will remain at home for their next game on Tuesday, November 15 against Dension. Tip-off for that battle with the Big Red will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Capital Center.