NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Capital University women's basketball team (12-4, 7-2 OAC) traveled east to Muskingum (8-8, 3-6 OAC) for what always seems to be a difficult matchup on the road. This occasion was no exception as the game came down to the wire once again with free throws making the difference in the end. The Comets took advantage of 22-of-30 (73.3%) attempts from the charity stripe – as compared to the Muskies' two total attempts – to narrowly outscore the hosts, 54-51.
MURPHY MAKES HISTORY
The highlight of the night was junior guard
Laney Murphy taking over as Capital's all-time leader in three-pointers made. Despite it taking her nearly all night, Murphy would make the two three-balls necessary to surpass Joey Hayes' 25 year-old record of 173 made in her career from 1995 to 1999. The magic moment came with 1:05 left in the game as Laney netted her second of the game, giving her 174 for her career, and – most importantly – giving Capital a three-point lead with just over a minute remaining.
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a tight contest in the early going as both teams struggled to score the ball in the first half. It was a combined 8-for-27 (29.6%) effort from the two sides in the first quarter as Capital kept a slim 12-10 lead at the first break. Those numbers would dip to a total of 5-for-24 (20.8%) in the second quarter with the Comets counting on a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe to slightly push the lead to five, 22-17 at the half.
Muskingum made things interesting in the third quarter, putting up 21 points and holding Capital to just 13 – seven of which came from the free throw line – as the Muskies took a 38-35 lead into the final frame. Unfortunately for the hosts, the Comets didn't quit and flipped the script with a 19-13 fourth quarter to claim the victory.
It was a true team effort in the final moments as
Laney Murphy hit a three-pointer with just over a minute remaining to give Cap a 52-49 lead. Following Muskingum's only free throws of the game – two successful attempts –
Bri O'Connor knocked down a pair of her own to put the lead back to three with just 11 seconds left. Finally, it was
Maddi Weiland coming in clutch on the other end, rejecting a Muskie three and recovering the rebound as time expired to seal the deal, 54-51.
THE NUMBERS
Along with becoming the all-time three-point leader,
Laney Murphy made herself known as the game's leading scorer with 17 points. She also collected eight rebounds, one steal, and one assist.
Bri O'Connor scored 11 points, accounting for four rebounds, three steals, and three assists.
Kendall Spreen put in 3-of-4 from three-point range for a career-high nine points.
Demi Brewer was the leading rebounder with 10 boards. She also had seven points, two steals, and two assists.
Samaree Perkins pulled down nine rebounds, scoring four points with one steal.
Maddi Weiland would come up with a clutch block on Muskingum's final possession, sealing the deal for the Comets. She finished with an additional six rebounds, three steals, two points, and one assist.
UP NEXT
The Comets will travel to the north side of the city on Saturday, taking on arch-rival Otterbein in the 2024 Battle for the Oar presented by Byers Airport Subaru. The women's game is set to tip-off in Westerville at 5 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7 p.m.
