Quakers fall at Capital

Stirling, Rohrbacher combine for 25 points

|Box Score|

February 1 , 2006

Eric Stirling

BEXLEY — Wilmington College kept every Capital Crusader hand cool Wednesday — except one.

The unchillable hand of freshman Nate Stahl, however, was the difference as the Crusaders handed the Quakers a 60-55 Ohio Athletic Conference setback. Wilmington drops to 7-6 in the OAC, 14-6 overall. Capital is now 5-8 in the conference, 8-11 for the season.

Stahl connected on eight-of-13 three-pointers and finished with game-high 27 points as Capital avenged a 74-63 first-round loss at Wilmington Jan. 18.

"Defensively, we weren't good, but we weren't terrible," WC head coach Scott Reule said. "We did hold a team to 60 points. There was only one player who really hurt us, and Stahl shot the ball extremely well."

Eric Stirling (Brooklyn, N.Y./LaSalle Academy) scored nine of his team-high 14 points in the first half as Wilmington took a 29-27 halftime advantage. Stahl scored 17 of Capital's points in a rough first half.

"It was an extremely physical game, for both teams," Reule said. "I don't know why but it always seems to be a physical game whenever we play Capital, especially at Capital."

Josh Rohrbacher (Columbus/Beechcroft) hit a trey and a jumper as Wilmington stayed in front of the Crusaders early in the second half. Stahl dropped a bomb at 14:02 to move Capital in front, 41-39. Justin Gaines (Cincinnati/Colerain) came off the WC bench to score, knotting the game at 44-all. Capital scored five straight points and did not surrender the lead again, although the Quakers had their chances.

"We won the boards (37-32) but we gave them way too many second-chance opportunities, especially in the second half," Reule said. "That led to them being able to make some crucial baskets when they needed it. But we had our opportunities, despite the way the game went. We had chances late in the game."

Stirling and Fred Harrison (Cleveland/East) scored as the Quakers twice cut Capital's lead to two in in the closing moments, but WC could not connect on several key shots in their effort to top the hill.

Rohrbacher hit double-figure scoring for the fourth time in the last five games, with 11 points. Harrison added seven for the Quakers, Scott Walters (Mentor/Perry) scored six, and Gaines, Nick Berter (Cincinnati/Reading) and Brett Carpenter (Marshalville/Smithville) contributed five apiece.

Stirling also led Wilmington in rebounding with seven. Berter and Rohrbacher collected five rebounds each.

"We have to become more productive at the offensive end," Reule said. "We need to give ourselves more opportunities and a better chance to win. When you hold a team to 60 points, you can't say your defense cost you the game."

The Quakers will host John Carroll in OAC action Saturday at Fred Raizk Arena. Tip-off is 3 p.m.