WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Capital University women's basketball team played well and competed on the road to rival Otterbein University, but in the end the hosts held onto a 67-58 win, dropping Capital to 5-2 on the year. 

The difference in the nine point game proved to be the free throw shooting as Capital managed to connect on just 18-for-34 of their tries at the charity stripe – a 53% average. On the opposite end of the court, Otterbein converted 23 of their 34 attempts at the line, showing a more efficient 68%. 

In the fourth quarter, Capital furiously made a battle of it and doubled up Otterbein's scoring and simply ran out of time to complete the would-be comeback effort. The Comets started the last 10 minute stanza trailing 55-34. They then outscored the Cardinals 24-12 in the final frame and nearly finished it off, but the buzzer rang before the job could be finished. 

The Comets will now get a second crack at the Cardinals as they host the Battle for the Oar on Saturday, January 21st at 5 p.m. in the Capital Center. That will surely be one the Comets will be hoping to lock up. 

THE NUMBERS
Again the Comets got a huge second half effort from their season leading scorer Bri O'Connor. The sophomore found herself scoreless at halftime for the second time this week and for the second time this week finished the game in double digits. This time, she ended with 14 points and complemented that with nine rebounds and two assists. 

Samaree Perkins put up a new career-high in scoring with 17 points on a solid offensive night for the freshman. She scored her points on 5-of-9 from the floor and 7-of-10 from the free throw line, both solid conversion rates. She added seven rebounds and a block to her night's effort. 

Laney Murphy again scored double digit points, this time knocking down 13. She added two rebounds and a block. 

Defensively, Maddi Weiland continued her tear as she hauled in eight boards, swatted away another three blocks, and stole one ball. She added six points for good measure. 

Rani Thigpen kept up her solid play of late off the bench with two points and four rebounds. 

THE OPPONENT
Points - Katie McCrary (16)
Rebounds - Ella Nagel (8)
Assists - Katie McCrary (3)
Blocks - Jenna Joschouer (2)
Steals - Katie McCrary (8)

UP NEXT
Capital will look to get back on track as they host Muskingum University on Wednesday, December 7th at 7 p.m. in The Capital Center.