COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University women's basketball team had to fight their way back from a 23-point deficit, but the Comets did so successfully, beating Bethany College 68-66 on Saturday afternoon. The punctuating moment came as Samaree Perkins knocked down two free throws with just 0.1 left on the clock. 

With the win, Capital extended their record to 4-0 overall and they remain the only unbeaten team in the OAC. Bethany drops to 2-3 with the loss. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Throughout much of the first half, Capital struggled from the floor, shooting just 9-for-37 in the first 20 minutes of play. Those offensive woes were not what the Comets would've wanted with the Bison snagging the lead just 2:16 into the first quarter and holding onto that lead for the rest of the game – minus the final tenth of a second. 

Midway through the second quarter, Capital found themselves at their largest deficit of 23 points, but a 10-2 run to close out the half by Capital helped swing some of the momentum. In that stretch, 3-pointers by Kya Jordan and Kendall Spreen combined with two layups from Samaree Perkins to end the half on a higher note. The game went to the break with Bethany in front 38-24.

Out of the half, the Comets' offense improved, but the Bison kept steady. In the end, the third quarter ended with the Bison still leading, 54-41. 

With the lead slowly chipping away, the score closed to a seven point gap at multiple moments in the fourth quarter, including a and-one play from Samaree Perkins with 4:24 left on the clock. Shortly after that play by Perkins, Bethany would score what would prove to be their final points in the game on a pair of free throws by Kaedlee Potter with 3:35 left. From that moment on, Capital would score 11 straight points to secure the 68-66 win. 

With the score 66-58, Olivia Rouser came off the bench and knocked down a big 3-pointer to make it 66-61. After the Rouser make, Perkins made her way back to the charity stripe and converted both to make it 66-63 with 2:46 left. 

After a couple of turnovers both ways, Capital again got the ball and with 1:26 Rouser found herself wide open at the top of the key and knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the score at 66-66. 

With time remaining, the Comets defense got a big stop with just under 30-seconds left. On the ensuing possession, Cap worked it inside and Samaree Perkins fought her way into a foul at the buzzer. After review, the referees put 0.1 seconds left on the clock with Perkins shooting two free throws. There, Perkins kept her nerve and converted both attempts to give Cap the 68-66 win. 

THE NUMBERS
Samaree Perkins completed her fourth double-double of the season by leading all players in scoring and rebounding. She finished with 28 points and 15 rebounds to go with two steals, one assist and one block. 

Kendall Spreen scored 15 points in the effort, knocking down five three-pointers. She added three rebounds, three assists and one steal. 

Kya Jordan, Tahirah Ellis and Olivia Rouser all scored six points, while other scoring came from Kyah Ewing, Julia Nash and Izzy Rodriguez. 

Behind Perkins' efforts on the glass, Ellis pulled in seven rebounds. 

Ellis was also the leader in assists with five assists. 

Jordan and Ewing led all players with four steals each. 

UP NEXT
Capital will be back in action on Tuesday, November 25th for their final competition before the Thanksgiving break as they host Wooster for a 6 p.m. tipoff.