COLUMBUS, Ohio – Scoring runs tells the story for what proved to be a thrilling 73-68 win for the Capital University men's basketball team on Wednesday night over visiting Heidelberg University. 

With the win, Capital vaulted their record to 13-8 overall and 8-6 in the OAC. With just three regular season games remaining, Capital clinched a winning regular season record. The win was also Capital's fourth in a row. 

The loss was just the fourth of the year for Heidelberg and their third in the conference. They now sit at 16-4 and 11-3 in the OAC.

In the game, David Sanford led all scorers with 19 points. His efforts were supported by Ryan Roth's 12 points, and Ryan Suever's 11 points. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Capital got going on the first offensive burst as they carried on a 17-0 run in just over four minutes of action in the first half. The run was carried on by one thing, and one thing only – 3-point shooting. With Heidelberg ahead 10-9 at the 15:01 mark of the first, Capital splashed home five consecutive 3-pointers (three from David Sanford, and one each from Ryan Suever and Ryan Roth). The run was capped off by a pair of free throws from Griffin Doseck. 

Unfortunately for Capital, Heidelberg would flip the tempo over the final 11:25 of the half. The Student Princes would finish the half on a 27-3 run to carry a 39-29 lead into the halftime break. Ryan Roth's 3-pointer with 1:04 left in the half put an end to a dismal scoreless run for the Purple and White. 

After struggling to end the half, Cap took the halftime talk and exploded for a strong second half of play – one of their best halves of the season. Capital outscored Heidelberg 44-29 in the second half, holding the high powered Heidelberg offense to just 30% from the floor and a strugglesome 8% from beyond the arc. 

In the second half, Heidelberg pushed their lead ahead to 54-44. With the 10-point advantage, Cap began to chip away. Things got started on a layup from Ryan Suever. His bucket was followed by four straight free throws from Griffin Doseck and Alex Eyink. Joe Thompson followed it up with a crucial jumper, bringing Capital to within 54-52. 

The Student Princes briefly got going again, but a huge 3-pointer from David Sanford put Capital ahead at 57-56 with 7:24 left in the game. Ryan Roth followed up Sanford's bucket with a three of his own just a minute later, extending Cap's lead to 60-58. Arguably the clincher came as Joe Thompson buried a three of his own with 5:58 left. 

Carrying the lead, Capital built their advantage to seven and eventually had to fend off a late Heidelberg push. 

With Cap ahead just 69-66, Ryan Roth delivered the dagger. David Sanford ate some clock on the dribble before a smartly designed play found Roth open in the corner. Roth then did what he does best and knocked down the three, giving Cap the edge they needed to clinch the game. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Capital did one thing nearly to perfection in the game – keep Heidelberg away from the free throw line. Capital committed just 10 fouls in the entire game, leading to just six free throw tries for Capital – all of which fell to Emmanuel Perdue, who went 3-for-6. 

Capital crashed the boards, out-rebounding Heidelberg 36-29, including a 9-7 edge on the offensive glass. Griffin Doseck (eight), Ryan Suever (seven), and Tyler Schreck (six) carried the load on the boards. 

The Purple and White flipped the script offensively in the game. In the first half, they shot just 29% form the floor, but exploded for a 52% clip in the second half. What they did well was shoot consistently from beyond the arc, connecting on 41% of their tries in both halves. 

THE OPPONENT
Tre Watkins scored 19 points off the bench for the Berg. Dylan Woods (14 points) and Emmanuel Perdue (13 points) also reached double-digit scoring. Three Student Princes ended with five rebounds each. 

UP NEXT
Capital will host Mount Union this Saturday for a women's men's doubleheader as part of Senior Day for both programs. The women will also be hosting their annual #Play4Kay game, helping bring awareness to and raise money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The women are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. with the men following at approximately 4 p.m. Click here to see how you can support their efforts.