UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – The Capital University men's basketball team suffered a 77-59 setback on the road at the hands of No. 9 John Carroll University on Saturday afternoon. 

The loss sets Capital back to 3-5 on the year and 1-2 in the OAC. JCU moves to 7-1 overall and 2-1 in the conference. 

A good second half by the Comets was too little-too late as Capital couldn't overcome a 15-point halftime deficit. Despite the loss, Cap improved their shooting from 23% at the half to 45% in the second half, to finish with a modest 36% against a strong Blue Streak defense. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Comets got a solid start to the game, going ahead 15-12 through the game's first eight minutes. In that period of play, Capital went 5-for-9 from the floor, thanks to five points from Joe Thompson, four each from Griffin Doseck and Carter Combs and two from Kaleb Crawford. 

Unfortunately for the Comets, the Blue Streaks rebounded and went on a 17-5 run that carried the score out to 29-20 in favor of JCU. Capital's lone points in that run came from two from Nate Gerber and a 3-pointer by Tre Hammond that finally cooled the Blue Streak momentum. 

Despite a quick respite from Hammond and a free throw by Crawford, the Blue Streaks rallied for more points and carried a 36-21 lead into the intermission. 

In the second half, the Comets certainly held their own nearly going point-for-point with the high octane JCU offense, but in the end, the halftime deficit was too large to overcome as the hosts emerged with the 77-59 win. 

In that second half, CU shot nearly 50% from the floor and were led by Carter Combs' 11 points in the final 20 minutes. Dom Moegerle also added nine points in the second stanza helping the Purple and White stay within touch of the Blue Streaks. 

THE NUMBERS
Carter Combs led Capital with 15 points and he added three rebounds, two steals and an assist. 

Both Griffin Doseck and Dom Moegerle finished with nine points each. The pair combined for 14 rebounds, led by Doseck's team-high nine. 

Joe Thompson chipped in eight points, four rebounds, a block and a steal as well. 

THE OPPONENT
Points - Eric Hanna (18)
Rebounds - Luka Eller (7)
Assists - Chase Toppin (6)
Blocks - Henry Raynor (2)
Steals - Luke Frazier (3)

UP NEXT
Capital will look to rebound with a home game on Thursday, December 15th against non-conference foe Kalamazoo College. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. at The Capital Center.