NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Capital University men's basketball team emerged with a narrow 72-71 win on the road at Muskingum University on Wednesday night, thanks to a gritty team performance. A tied game at halftime remained with two scores for the entire second half with two clutch free throws from Alex Eyink proving the difference down the stretch. 

Capital now improves to 16-8 on the season and 10-7 within the OAC conference. Muskingum drops to 7-17 overall and 3-14 in conference. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Comets shook off a 5-0 hole early as Justin Nixon and Baden Forup combined for a pair of jumpers. Immediately after, McKane Finkenbine knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to put Cap in front. That lead would extend to as many as eight points early on at 15-7, thanks to a free throw from Carter Combs. 

The Muskies began to find a way back into the game but a 30-second timeout call from the Comets with the score reading 17-15 Cap gave the Comets a chance to reset. Out of the timeout, Capital went back ahead by four points after Nate Gerber converted a jumper. 

By the 1:46 mark of the first half, Muskingum had not only worked back into the game, but took a lead of five points at 38-33. Despite falling behind, the Comets again made quick work of getting back into the game, tying the game at 38-38 after quick three points from Alex Eyink and a layup from Deon Miller. By halftime, the score rested at 40-40 as both teams went to the break. 

Out of the locker room, both sides came away looking to find an edge. Across the first eight plus minutes, there wasn't much to separate the sides as a Justin Nixon jumper with 11:42 remaining put Cap ahead 55-54. 

That close game continued through much of the game, until a trifecta from Combs put the Comets ahead 62-59 with 6:26 left to play. Shortly after, Ryan Suever converted a second chance opportunity after securing an offensive board, enabling Cap to extend the advantage to five points. 

Capital continued the fight as the half continued getting a big layup from Finkenbine to put CU back in front after a pair of free throws from the Muskies leveled it at 67-67. 

With the clock winding down, Capital got two clutch free throws from Alex Eyink to put them ahead 72-71 with 13.3 seconds left. On the next possession, CU thought they had found themselves behind 73-72 with 3.3 seconds remaining after a made layup from Muskingum's Duane Davis, but a video review by the officials ruled off the bucket and left Capital ahead 72-71 to hang on for the win. 

THE NUMBERS
Baden Forup again led Cap in scoring, finishing with 19 points on 8-for-14 shooting. He added six rebounds, two blocks and a steal. 

McKane Finkenbine was the only other Comet in double figures finishing with 14 points, spurred on by four made 3-pointers. He added five boards, two assists and a steal. 

Justin Nixon led the team in assists with four and was followed by Carter Combs who had three dimes. Nixon and Combs finished with eight points, five rebounds and one steal a piece. 

UP NEXT
Capital will face one of their sternest tests of the season as they travel to No. 1 nationally ranked John Carroll University on Saturday, February 17th. Tip-off in University Heights is slated for 1 p.m. The Comets will be playing to hopefully secure a more favorable first round OAC Tournament game.