WILMINGTON, Ohio - A 19-0 run to end the half proved to be the difference as Capital University handed the Wilmington College women's basketball team a 71-58 defeat in an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) contest at Hermann Court on Wednesday evening.
Things started well for the Quakers as the Comets turned the ball over on their first five possessions. Layups from Marisa Seiler, two from Kennedy Lewis and Cassidy Lovett built an 8-1 lead for the hosts four minutes in. The visitors cut the deficit to 11-8, but a 10-5 run over the final minutes of the period capped by the hoop and the harm from Kyria Walker gave WC a 21-13 lead after one quarter.
Bekah Bowser nailed a three-pointer early in the second quarter, and after two Capital free throws, Jakaia Lotz grabbed an offensive rebound and scored, putting the Quakers head 26-17. That basket would be the last points for WC in the half. Jenna Horsley fueled the Comet run with three straight triples, and an acrobatic basket from Bri O'Connor, a transfer from Tiffin University, beat the buzzer to give Capital a 36-26 lead at halftime.
Six points was as close as Wilmington would get in the second half. Samaree Perkins scored 11 of her 15 points in the half, and the Comets kept getting to the free throw line. The Quakers were whistled for 25 fouls in the contest (while being fouled just 11 times) that yielded 33 Capital free throw attempts.
Capital finished the game 20-of-42 (47.6 percent) from the field with six triples and 25 free throws for a percentage of 75.8 from the line. The Comets' three leading scorers coming in all finished in double figures with O'Connor's 20 points leading the way. Perkins had 15 while Laney Murphy added a dozen.
Wilmington was 22-of-77 (28.6 percent) from the field with six triples, but just 8-of-15 (53.3 percent) from the charity stripe. The Quakers won the battle of the boards 44-38 and committed just 10 turnovers in the game. Individually, Lewis finished with 18 points and eight rebounds while Bowser had nine and Walker eight.
The Quakers (8-4, 2-3 OAC) host Marietta College on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
