BEXLEY, Ohio - Capital University pulled away in the second half to defeat the Wilmington College men's basketball team 86-77 in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) action from the Capital Center on Wednesday evening.
The first 13 minutes were played within a nine-point window as the Quakers' took a 6-3 lead on an Obed Achirem layup two minutes in while the Comets held six-point advantages at 14-8 and 29-23. The hosts stretched it to eight points on a Ryan Suever jumper with 6:40 to play, but Wilmington quickly caught back up. After a Lucas Doty free throw, the sophomore connected from long distance on a pass from Domenic Farley, who nailed a triple of his own on WC's next possession. A couple empty possessions followed, and though the visitors would briefly go in front by a point at 32-31, the hosts ended the half on a 12-5 run in the final five minutes to lead 43-37 at the break.
Wilmington scored the first six points of the second half on three straight Achirem layups, and the two sides couldn't separate from one another over the next six minutes. An Abdul Kanu jumper at the 13:09 mark made the score 55-54 in favor of Capital, but a quick 8-1 spurt gave the hosts a narrow lead they would not relinquish.
Capital finished 31-of-53 (58.5 percent) from the floor, which was better than it shot from the free throw line - 57.7 percent on 26 attempts. The Comets dished out 16 assists and outrebounded the Quakers 36-30. Wilmington was 28-of-66 (42.4 percent) from the field and converted 12-of-17 (70.6 percent) from the charity stripe. Both teams made nine three-pointers.
Both sides featured balanced scoring attacks with at least four players in double figures. For Capital, Suever, Griffin Doseck, Carter Combs and Dom Moegerle all had at least 10 points with Doseck and Kaleb Crawford each grabbing seven rebounds. For Wilmington, Achirem, Kanu, Farley, Gavin Heimlich and Bryce Bird had double-figure evenings with Achirem's 15 points and 12 rebounds leading the way.
Wilmington returns home to face Marietta College on Saturday. Tip-off from Fred Raizk Arena is set for 2 p.m.