CLEVELAND, Ohio – The previously undefeated Capital University men's basketball team hit the road for their second straight away contest, this time heading to No. 9 nationally ranked Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. There, the Comets would give the Spartans everything they could handle by nearly erasing a 21-point deficit before falling in a 94-87 loss.

The 87 points matched the most points from the Comets in a single game thus far this season. With the loss, Capital will now turn their full attention to OAC play the remainder of the season with a 6-1 record – the team's best start to a season in 15 years. On the other end of the floor, CWRU moves to 5-0 in their season. 

After a hot start from the Comets, thanks to two straight 3-pointers from Ryan Suever, Capital settled into the game and fell behind Case Western Reserve 15-8 with 15:52 left to play. From there, a put-back dunk from Baden Forup got Capital back into it. Suever then followed that up with yet another 3-pointer to close the gap to 15-13. 

After some brief back-and-forth, the Comets leveled the score with 12:01 left at 18-18 on Justin Nixon's layup. A 3-ball by Dom Moegerle shortly after put the Comets in front 20-19, a lead that would extend to as much as 35-28 with 4:30 left in the half. Despite this run of form, the Spartans responded in full force, finishing the half on a 20-4 run that put the score 48-39 at the intermission. 

After the break, the Spartan lead expanded to as many as 21 points at 71-50 with 12:41 remaining in the game. However, a steady comeback effort was mounted by the Comets as they would trim the spread to as little as two points with 3:24 left in the game, 81-79. However, a quick three 3-pointers by the Spartans opened up a much needed cushion to do just enough to preserve the eventual win for the hosts. The large comeback effort was spurred on by a 29-13 run by the Comets, thanks to healthy spread of scoring. 

THE NUMBERS
Freshman Baden Forup had himself a career-night by recording career highs in both points and rebounding, marking his first career collegiate double-double. At the end of his 29 minutes of play, Forup ended with 22 points, 13 rebounds, one assist and one steal. His 22 points came on a sharp 11-of-16 shooting. 

Three other Comets got in double digit scoring – Ryan Suever (16 points), Carter Combs (10), and Justin Nixon (10). Combs supported his scoring efforts with six rebounds and five assists. Suever added a rebound and a block, while Nixon ended with six rebounds and an assist as well. 

Alex Eyink ended with nine points, seven of which came from the free throw line. He added four rebounds and two assists. 

McKane Finkenbine (4) and Dom Moegerle (3) combined for seven assists in the game, while both players scored eight points apiece. 

UP NEXT
Capital will host crosstown rivals Otterbein on Saturday, December 2nd at 7 p.m. immediately following the women's contest with Otterbein which tips off at 5 p.m. Capital's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is hosting a clothing drive for the Salvation Army at the game and bringing two items of clothing for donation will equal one free admission.

It is important to note that although this game is a head-to-head battle against Otterbein, the Battle for the Oar will take place in the two teams' second meeting of the season on January 20th at Otterbein.