COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University women's basketball team (11-4, 6-2 OAC) took on Ohio Northern (8-6, 6-2 OAC) – a team that had been receiving votes in this week's WBCA Top-25 polls – on Saturday in what would be a fight for second place in the Ohio Athletic Conference. It was a battle until the bitter end but the Comets came out on top 63-55, notching their first win over ONU since February 20th, 2021. CU also extended their winning streak to seven games, the longest since the 2015-16 season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half was fairly close as the teams traded points for the entire first quarter and much of the second. It was a pretty slow game early on as well, as Capital and Ohio Northern each notched only 10 points in the first 10 minutes of play. It wasn't until about four minutes to go in the half when the Comets started to create some separation, going on an 8-2 run to take a 25-19 lead into the break. 

Despite some pushback from the Polar Bears, Cap was able to keep the lead in hand in the second half, holding the advantage for 33:29 total, or 83.7% of the game. The third quarter was when the game got the closest as ONU got the deficit down to two at one point. However, the Purple and White would not falter, finishing the third quarter up six again at 42-36. 

The fourth quarter was characterized by some clutch shots from Capital as the Comets fought to stay ahead. Most notably was a desperation three-pointer by Bri O'Connor, banking it in over triple coverage at the end of the shot clock. This would practically put the Polar Bears away with just over a minute left. After some late-game free throws from CU and two fairly meaningless field goals by ONU on the other end, Cap would come away with the 63-55 win.

THE NUMBERS
Bri O'Connor put up a second-straight 20+ point performance with 24 this time around, two shy of her season-high of 26 set on Wednesday in the win at Heidelberg. She shot 9-for-14 (64.3%) from the floor, with three three-pointers. On the other areas of the floor, O'Connor came up with five steals, four assists, and four rebounds. 

Laney Murphy made away with 12 points, two rebounds, and two steals. Her two three-pointers puts her at 172 for her career, just one away from the Capital record of 173.

Samaree Perkins secured 11 rebounds and scored eight points. She also had one assist and one steal.

Demi Brewer dropped seven points with six rebounds and three assists.

Maddi Weiland and Jenna Horsley would both put up six points. Weiland was the second-leading rebounder with 10 boards, also having three steals. Horsley made one steal and got one block.

UP NEXT
The Comets are back on the road on Wednesday, facing Muskingum. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in New Concord.