COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University women's basketball team took the lead from Mount Union just under three minutes into the game and held that advantage up until the final seven seconds of regulation when the Purple Raiders found the tying score. In overtime, the visitors took control early and shocked Capital with the 69-64 decision.
Capital now sits at 9-4 overall and 3-3 in the OAC. Mount moves to 5-8 overall and 2-4 in conference play. With the result, Capital slides back to fourth place in the OAC standings.
A 16-0 run in the first quarter for the Comets gave Cap a much needed boost in the early going. The run sparked a 20-11 end of first quarter score that saw the hosts in full control. From there, however, Mount Union picked up the pace and worked their way back into contention. Slowly, but surely, the Purple Raiders chipped away at the Comet lead, but Capital always did enough to stave off the comeback bid.
Unfortunately for the Comets, a final minute five-point run in the fourth quarter was finally enough for the visitors to catch Capital, leaving too little time on the clock to make a difference in regulation.
In the overtime stanza, Mount kept their aggression up and garnered a quick two-possession advantage that was enough to hold on for the 69-64 win in the end.
THE NUMBERS
Samaree Perkins finished with a new career-high 22 points a sharp offensive night shooting 7-for-12 from the field. She paired that with an impressive 8-of-11 from the free throw line. In addition to her career offensive day, Perkins added six rebounds, three assists and a block.
Bri O'Connor continued her hot scoring with a 21-point outing – her second consecutive 20+ scoring effort. She contributed four rebounds and three assists.
The duo of Perkins and O'Connor both hitting the 20-point mark marked the first time two Comets have done so in the same game since O'Connor hit the mark with
Laney Murphy on November 28th against Alma.
Murphy put up eight points, while
Demi Brewer chipped in six. Murphy now sits at 495 points at the midpoint of just her second collegiate season.
Maddi Weiland continued to play good defense, pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds. She also sent back two blocks and swiped three steals.
O'Connor, Murphy and Perkins all remain in the top-eight of the OAC's scoring charts. O'Connor is second with 16.4 points per game, Murphy is fourth with 13.7 points per game and Perkins is eighth with 12.5 points a game.
THE OPPONENT
Points - Dae Dae Nash (20)
Rebounds - Gretchen Koken (9)
Assists - Four Players (2)
Blocks - Ali Hudik/Sierra Schlosser (1)
Steals - Koken/Hudik (3)
UP NEXT
Capital will look to get back on track as they travel to Heidelberg University on Wednesday, January 11th for a 7 p.m. game time.
