Senior Karissa Steffas scores 12 to lead #11 Women's Basketball in 58-45 loss at #17 Capital in a battle of league leaders

By Tim Glon

BEXLEY — Senior Karissa Steffas scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead No. 11-ranked Ohio Northern in a 57-45 women's basketball loss at No. 17 Capital on Saturday afternoon at the Capital Center.

The Polar Bears saw their 12-game win streak snapped and fell to 14-3 overall, but stay atop the Ohio Athletic Conference with a 9-1 record.

The Crusaders improve to 15-2, 8-2.

Steffas was a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line to offset a cold shooting day for ONU.

The Polar Bears made just 14-of-50 field goal attempts for 28.0 percent, while CU made 22-of-47 field goals for 46.8 percent.

Capital went on a 15-0 run at the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second quarter to take a 23-7 lead with 7:36 left in the half.

Northern battled back to within 32-24 on a basket by junior Brooke Espenschied before trailing at 34-24 halftime.

CU led 50-35 after three quarters and the lead would stay in double digits the rest of the way.

Ohio Northern out-rebounded Capital 32-31.

The Polar Bears will return to action on Wednesday with a 7:30 pm contest at Otterbein at the Rike Center.