COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University men's basketball team (4-0, 0-0 OAC) played host to Denison (1-2, 0-0 NCAC) on Wednesday night at The Capital Center. After a 19-0 second half run, the Comets defeated the Big Red 75-58. 

The Comets who improved to an undefeated 4-0 to start the young season are now off to their best start since 2016-17. In that season, Cap defeated Olivet, Chatham, La Roche and Ohio Wesleyan to start that season. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a tight first 15 minutes with not much separation to be found on the scoreboard. The lead changed hands eight times as neither team was really able to pull more than a few points ahead. It wasn't until around the five-minute mark that the Comets started to build an advantage. Cap would construct a 16-1 run to end the half ahead 44-30. 

Justin Nixon was CU's leading scorer at the half with 12 points. He shot 6-of-10 and collected two steals, two assists, and one block as well. Carter Combs was the second-leading contributor with seven points, three assists, two rebounds, one block, and one steal. As a collective, Capital shot 16-for-29 (55.2%) from the field, 6-of-13 (46.2%) from behind the arc, and 6-of-7 (85.7%) at the charity stripe. The Comets also had five blocks, along with seven takeaways that resulted in 12 points on the other end. 

Denison inched back into the game in the early minutes of the second half, getting their deficit down to as little as three at one point. Capital put together a strong response in the form of a 19-0 run over the next 8:06 led by Baden Forup with eight points and Alex Eyink with five. 

With the dominant run behind them, Capital cruised to the finish line eventually hanging on for the 17-point win. 

THE NUMBERS
As a team, the Comets shot a cool 49.1% from the floor, which included 40.9% form 3-point range and a 71.4% mark from the charity stripe in the game. On the other side, Denison managed to chuck up a 35.9% field goal percentage, a 21.7% 3-point mark and a 58.3% mark from the free throw line.

Capital was led by a 16-point effort from Justin Nixon off the bench. He poured in eight of his 12 shots and also reeled in two boards, two assists, two steals and a block. 

Baden Forup also put in a nice performance, scoring 13 points and adding seven rebounds and a new career-high three blocks. 

Both Alex Eyink and McKane Finkenbine put up 10 points, while Eyink added two rebounds, four assists and a steal. Finkenbine also chipped in four boards, four assists and a steal. 

Carter Combs only scored seven points but he dished out five assists and added a block and two steals. 

Nate Gerber had a career-high three blocks to go with five points, seven boards and two assists. His seven boards also tied a career-best number. 

UP NEXT
The Comets will be back at home on Saturday hosting Adrian for a 2 p.m. tip.