COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University women's basketball team was back in action at the Capital Center Wednesday night after a short break, taking part in their second game in the past three days, this time taking on the Tigers of Wittenberg University. The Comets did not lose a step to the quick turnaround, making easy work of Wittenberg 63-48.

Capital advances to 5-1 on the season. It is the Comets' best six-game start since the 2018-2019 season when the team started out 6-0.

Wittenberg drops to 4-2.


HOW IT HAPPENED
With each team coming in with a 4-1 record, the early going was sure to be close. Wittenberg broke out to an early lead with Capital quickly closing the gap shortly thereafter. The first quarter flew by with the teams trading runs until two last minute free throws gave Cap a feeble one-point advantage heading into the first break.

In the second quarter, the momentum of the game began to sway Capital's way and a short five-point run gave the Comets enough of a buffer to withstand any retaliation Wittenberg had to offer. After trading points for a little while, the Comets wound up with a six point lead going into the locker room. 

In the early stages of the third quarter, Capital managed to inch evermore ahead. However, a quick mid-quarter run from the Tigers took a 12-point lead down to eight. The Comets responded coolly and Laney Murphy and Bri O'Connor aced threes on back-to-back possessions to quickly put the Purple and White lead back up to eight heading into the final frame. 

The fourth quarter was all Comets with O'Connor and Murphy making it happen on offense. The pair combined for 16 of the team's 18 points in the period to take the lead to 15 before the final buzzer. The Purple and White put in 70% of their shots and aced all of their chances from the charity stripe as they breezed to a 63-48 victory.


THE NUMBERS
Bri O'Connor one-upped herself again, beating the personal best of 21 points that she had just set two days before. The sophomore guard shot 10-for-14 with four three-pointers en route to a new career-high of 25. O'Connor also collected three steals, two rebounds, one assist, and one block in a great all-around effort. 

Laney Murphy had another great night, scoring 15 points on 5-for-9 from the field with two three-pointers, as well as pulling down two rebounds, and making one steal.

Maddi Weiland a.k.a. "Brick Wall" Weiland recorded another three blocks in the contest and led the team in boards with nine rebounds. She also scored eight points and had one takeaway.

Samaree Perkins added even more to her season totals in points and rebounds, scoring eight points and securing seven boards. The phenomenal freshman dished out an assist as well.

Speaking of assists, senior Demi Brewer led the squad with four dimes, as well as scoring five points, grabbing four rebounds, making three steals, and recording two blocks.


UP NEXT
Capital will be back on Saturday as they play in the first half of the ever-important Battle for the Oar presented by Byers Airport Subaru at cross-city rival Otterbein. Tip-off between the Comets and the Cardinals will be at 5:00 p.m. and will be the first leg of a doubleheader with the men's teams tipping off at 7:00 p.m.