Karissa Steffas leads Women's Basketball to 67-58 victory over Capital

By Ashley Birchmeier

COLUMBUS — Junior Karissa Steffas lead the Ohio Northern women's basketball team past Capital 67-58 Saturday at the Capital Center.

The Polar Bears improve to 7-2 overall, 3-0 Ohio Athletic Conference, while Capital falls to 3-4, 1-2.

Steffas led the way for ONU recording a double-double with game-highs in points (18) and rebounds (12).

Sophomore Britt Lauck also had a game-high 18 points and added six rebounds.

With just over seven minutes till the break the Polar Bears were able to put together an 11-0 run to jump to its largest lead 35-17.

Junior Brooke Espenschied led the run shooting a perfect 3-3 from the free throw line.

A jumper from senior Jordan Kimes and a pair of made free throws from Amy Bullimore closed out the first half.

The Polar Bears dominated the first half entering the break with a 43-23 advantage.

Capital started the second half scoring the first four points to cut into ONU's lead 45-27.

The Crusaders continued to battle in the second half as they were able to put together a 6-0 run and cut the Polar Bears lead to 53-46.

A jumper from Lauck and a pair of free throws from both Kimes and Steffas was able to push the lead back to 59-48 in favor of ONU.

In the final minute of play the Polar Bears were able to hold off the Crusaders as junior Carly Thomas was able to hit a pair of free throws to seal the victory 67-58.

Ohio Northern out rebounded Capital 50-41 in the contest.

The Polar Bears are next in action December 20th as they host Muskingum at 3 pm.