WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Capital University men's basketball team traveled to Washington & Jefferson University on Thursday afternoon where a double-double from Justin Nixon proved to not be enough as the Comets fell 88-76 to the hosts. The game was Capital's final game of the 2024 calendar year as the Purple and White will pause for the holidays before getting back into game action on Saturday, January 4th. 

Capital is now 4-6 overall, while the Presidents improve to 9-3 on the year. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Comets started the game well, kicking things off on a 3-pointer make from Alex Eyink immediately after a steal on the defensive end. The Comets stayed on the front foot soon after getting baskets from Justin Nixon and Se'Ron Calloway-White to move things to a 7-4 lead by the Comets. Nixon kept the Comets moving in the right direction with two more layups and a block, setting Cap up for a 13-6 lead, the largest advantage of the half by either team. 

W&J then got back into the game, moving in front 23-19 with just over seven minutes remaining in the half. From there, though, the Comets finished the half on a 17-12 run, to capture a 36-35 lead at the break. Calloway-White and McKane Finkenbine combined for 11 points over the run to lead the way. 

In the second stanza, Capital got out of the gates early, boosting to a 48-43 lead, capped by a Daryl Cooper jump shot. After a few minutes of clean back-and-forth, the Presidents captured a lead with 8:48 left in the game. From there, the lead would hold for the hosts as Capital could not keep up down the stretch, eventually settling the final score at 88-76. 

THE NUMBERS
Justin Nixon put up a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double in the effort. Nixon scored at 75% scoring 9 of his 12 shots, while also adding two assists, two blocks and one steal. 

McKane Finkenbine scored 16 points to go with four rebounds and three assists. 

Ryan Suever also reached double digits with 10 points to go with three boards and an assist. 

Se'Ron Calloway-White, Alex Eyink and Brody Gowen each scored eight points, while Daryl Cooper rounded out the scoring with six points. 

UP NEXT
Capital will now rest for the holidays before returning to action on Saturday, January 4th with a road contest at Baldwin Wallace University. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. or 30 minutes immediately following the completion of the women's contest that begins at 1 p.m. Capital University's Office of Alumni Engagement will be hosting an event at BW featuring raffles and giveaways for this doubleheader. More information can be found by contacting alumni@capital.edu.