Crusaders Slip Past the Berg

Capital University utilized a 14-1 run to open the second half to slip past the Heidelberg women’s basketball team 76-63 in an Ohio Athletic Conference match up.
 
The win improves Capital to 9-3 overall and 6-1 in the OAC, while the Berg stands at 4-11 and 1-7. Tonight’s contest was the first of three-straight at home for Heidelberg who returns to the court on Saturday against Muskingum College at 3:00 p.m.
 
Heidelberg and Capital battled back and forth over the first 20 minutes of action with the Crusaders building a 10-point lead, 33-23, with six minutes to play. Brittany Skolnicki (Lorain, Ohio / Clearview) scored for the Berg on the ensuring possession and ignited a 10-2 run that was capped off by a Lyndsey DaVault (Orrville, Ohio /Orrville) three-point play and pulled the Berg within two, 35-33, with 2:31 left in the half.
 
Capital closed out the half with a 6-0 run to take a 41-33 lead into the intermission.
 
The Capital run continued into the second half with eight-straight points before Heidelberg’s Jenny Miller (Tiffin, Ohio / Clyde) hit one of two free throws. The Crusaders answered with six more points to conclude its run to open the final half of action and held a 55-34 lead.
 
Heidelberg battled back to cut its deficit to 11 points on two occasions over the final two minutes but could not get any closer.
 
For the game, Capital out shot the Berg 49.0 percent (25-of-51) to 38.9 percent (21-of-54). On the glass, the Crusaders out rebounded Heidelberg 39-28.
 
Leading the way for the Berg was Skolnicki with 20 points. It was Skolnicki’s second-straight 20-point outing. She contributed 12 of her points in the first half. Skolnicki also led the way on the glass with seven boards. Adding nine points on the night was Morgan Harrigan (Urbana, Ohio / Urbana), while Alyssa Esposito (Brecksville, Ohio / Brecksville-Broadview Heights) and Miller each chipped in with eight. Backing Skolnicki on the glass was Sarah Kesse (Cincinnati, Ohio / Colerain) with six rebounds.
 
Daniele Sanna and Kristen Richardson led three Crusaders in double figures with 18 points apiece. Caitlin Elsass finished with 17 points and a team-leading nine rebounds.