BEXLEY – Senior Klarke Ransome sparked a game-deciding 13-4 run late in the game to boost the Wilmington men's basketball team with the 82-72 victory over Capital Thursday in Ohio Athletic Conference action at the Capital Center.

Capital was on the brink of completely erasing a 12-point deficit with a little over six minutes remaining when Ransome drilled his third three-pointer of the game, pushing to lead back to five points.

"Klarke made a couple of big shots tonight," said Wilmington head coach K.C. Hunt. "He had a big three to push the lead to five. Klarke played great today."

While Ransome may have nailed the biggest shot of the game, it was senior Malcolm Heard II (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington) that enabled the Fightin' Quakers to stay in the game. Wilmington struggled a bit in the first half, but Heard was force. The senior forward scored 18 of his game-high 29 points in the first half.

"Malcolm carried us in the first half," said Hunt. "He was a man amongst boys on the glass, defensively, taking the ball to the basket and stretching the defense as well."

He was 7-of-9, including 4-of-4 from beyond the arc in the first half.

Capital took the game to the Fightin' Quakers early, scoring 20 of the first 29 points. Following a timeout, WC scored 12 of 13 points to pull even. From there, it was a back and forth affair for the remainder of the opening stanza.

"We weren't really ready to play to start the game," said Hunt. "When you are a team that presses the way we do, and if you are not ready to play, you can get carved up."

Wilmington scored the first 12 points of the second half, and appeared ready to coast home with another quality road victory. However, the Crusaders continued to chip away at the WC lead until Ransome's (Richwood, OH/North Union) three stymied the comeback.

Heard finished with 29 points and 10 rebounds on 10-of-13 shooting with three steals and two steals. He moved into fourth place all-time in scoring with 1,392 points, and is the school's all-time leading scorer in their NCAA-era, which began in the 1990-1991 season.

Ransome added 13 points and senior Ben Vonderhaar (Cincinnati, OH/Colerain) added 12 points.

Wilmington (13-6 overall, 10-3 OAC) has a quick turnaround by hosting Baldwin Wallace 3 p.m. Saturday.