COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University women's basketball team (11-3, 5-2 OAC) hosted Wilmington (4-10, 1-6 OAC) on Wednesday night as the Comets bounced back into the win column. It took more than 40 minutes to do so with the teams tied 69-69 at the end of regulation, with CU outlasting the Quakers in the extra period for a final score of 78-74.

HOW IT HAPPENED
It took both teams quite a while to get going with the first points of the game being scored more than a minute-and-a-half in. Even then both sides struggled to get the ball in the hoop, having less than 10 combined points until just after the five-minute mark when Capital pulled ahead 8-2. The Comets would retain that narrow advantage for the remainder of the first quarter, ending the first 10 minutes up five, 17-12.

The second quarter would be just about as low-scoring but slightly more competitive with CU just outscoring Wilmington 17-16 to add a single point to their lead before the break, taking it to six, 34-28. At the half Cap had already taken 26 three-pointers, just nine below the program-record 35 they took in Saturday's game against John Carroll. Samaree Perkins had also nearly pulled down double-digit rebounds in the first half, getting nine before the break.

The Quakers caught Cap off-guard to start the third quarter and quickly erased their six-point deficit before taking a slim lead. Aided by an 8-0 run to finish off the first five minutes, Wilmington would find themselves ahead 42-38. The Purple and White would manage to keep it close despite Bri O'Connor getting into foul trouble and being forced to sit, facing a deficit of just one as they headed into the fourth quarter.

Again, it was close in the final 10 minutes with the teams trading three-pointers to start off. Capital then put together a solid 13-4 run spanning 5:02 in the middle of the quarter to take a 69-62 lead entering the final two minutes. However, Wilmington was not done, responding with seven-straight to force overtime, 69-69. 

CU finally sent the Quakers packing in the extra period, starting with an 8-0 run which gave them enough breathing room to get to the finish line, 78-74.

THE NUMBERS
The Comets set two new program records with 14 three-pointers made and 49 three-point attempts. Additionally, CU set a new season-high on the boards with 57.

Samaree Perkins (16 PTS, 13 REB), Bri O'Connor (16 PTS, 10 REB), and Laney Murphy (15 PTS, 10 REB) would all record double-doubles. Perkins added two assists and one steal with O'Connor accounting for six assists, three steals, and one block, and Murphy finishing with two assists, two blocks, and one steal.

Jenna Horsley scored 15 points, tying her career-high of five three-pointers made, and adding two rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Kya Jordan had eight points off of a career-high two three-pointers made, additionally securing six rebounds with three assists and one steal.

Kenzie Weiland would finish with four points, four rebounds, and a career-high three assists.

Tahirah Ellis and Rani Thigpen both finished with two points, with Ellis adding two rebounds and one assist and Thigpen pulling down three rebounds.

UP NEXT
Capital hits the road on Saturday for the first of their two games against rivals Otterbein. The Comets and the Cardinals will face off in Westerville at 5:00 p.m.