COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University women's basketball team continued their hot start to the 2022-23 campaign with a strong 71-53 win over the visiting Denison University Big Red on Tuesday night. 

The win catapults the Comets to 2-0 on the young season – their first time starting a season with that way since the 2018-19 season. 

Cap came out of the gates firing on all cylinders as they garnered a 12-0 lead in the first 2:43 of game time on a brilliant 5-for-6 from the floor. In the run, Capital played great defense with a Laney Murphy block, a steal from Bri O'Connor and a forced Big Red turnover to keep their momentum going. A timeout by Denison calmed the Comet onslaught, but eventually another 3-pointer by O'Connor allowed Capital to stay ahead by double-digits. 

At the end of the first quarter, the Purple and White led 18-9 and had numerous players positively impacting the game, even those off the bench. 

In the second quarter, those bench players continued to help the cause as Jenna Horsley's 3-pointer with 2:45 left in the half gave Capital their largest lead yet at 14 points. After some brief momentum from the Big Red, a second uncharacteristic 3-pointer by Maddie Dougoud just before the first half buzzer gave Cap a 35-24 lead at the break. 

In the third quarter, Denison came out of the locker room and narrowed the lead to just six points on two occasions but a nine point run over the final 1:40 blitzed the Big Red and all but sealed the result. 

In the fourth quarter, Capital kept their foot on the gas and continued to pay well on both ends of the floor and eventually saw baskets from Kaylee Cyphers, Laney Murphy and Katie Burke put the dagger in the scoreboard and allowed the Comets to emerge with the 71-53 victory. 

THE NUMBERS
Sophomore transfer Bri O'Connor recorded the second consecutive double-double by a Comet as she recorded 17 points and 10 rebounds in the game. She paired the effort with three steals and two assists as well. 

Sophomore guard Laney Murphy also knocked down 17 points on a balanced approach shooting the ball. She added three blocks and four rebounds. 

Samaree Perkins and Maddie Dougoud each knocked down eight points. The duo combined or seven boards, a block and two steals as well. 

All-in-all, Capital out-shot the Bif Red 39.7% to 33.3% which included a far superior mark from downtown. Capital converted 48.1% of their 3-pointers (13-for-27), while Denison managed just 10.5% of their attempts from beyond the arc (2-for-19).

THE OPPONENT
Points - Mikaila Carpenter (20)
Assists - Hannah Wynn (5)
Blocks - Mikaila Carpenter (1)
Steals - Maddie Goodman (2)

UP NEXT
Capital will travel to Bloomington, Illinois on Saturday, November 19th to battle with Illinois Wesleyan. Tipoff for that one is scheduled for 1 p.m. CST.