COLUMBUS, Ohio - Mount Union's women's basketball team picked up its first Ohio Athletic Conference win of the seaosn with a 68-65 victory against Capital Saturday at The Capital Center.

The Purple Raiders (7-6, 1-5 OAC) were led by freshman Anika Sweeney (Sylvania / Sylvania Northview) with 12 points. Elana Rauhe (Seven Hills / Padua Franciscan) had 11 off the bench while Brianna Gassman (Minerva) also had 10 points.

Cassidy Bosch and Caroline Taphorn led the Crusaders (8-5, 3-3 OAC) with 12 points each. 

Freshman Madison Hensley (Blacklick / Gahanna Lincoln) started the game off with a three-pointer to spark a 9-3 run giving Mount Union an early advantage. The Raiders continued to extend their lead with a trifecta from junior Sarah Turley (Sagamore Hills / Nordonia) at the 5:18 mark putting the score at 12-3. The Crusaders rallied with an 13-0 surge to take their first lead of the game, 16-12. Mount Union ended the first quarter with another three-point basket from Rauhe to put the Raiders back within one point, 16-15, heading into second quarter.

In the second quarter, both teams traded baskets, but a steal and a foul shot from Turley tied the score up at 18. Capital quickly regained the advantage with a 8-0 run, making the score 26-18. Freshman Kelsie Glass (Green) scored five unanswered points to chip away at Capital's lead, but the Crusaders responded with a 10-5 run of their own to keep their lead at eight points, 36-28. The Raiders bounced back scoring six straight points with 1:09 remaining in the quarter to put them within two points, 36-34. Capital ended the quarter with 3-2 surge, extending their lead 39-36 going into halftime. 

Sweeney opened the third quarter with her third three-pointer of the game to tie the score at 39. This was short-lived as the Crusaders scored seven unanswered points, reclaiming the lead 46-39. Senior Zanny Sauter (Avon) hit a three-pointer at the 7:24 mark to ignite an 8-4 run to cut Capital's lead down to three points, 50-47. The Crusaders extended their lead 57-52 to enter the final quarter. 

Turley paced the fourth quarter for the Raiders with a three-point basket sparking a 6-1 run to tie the score at 58-58 with 6:58 remaining in the contest. Sophomore Hailey Peoples-O'Neil (Geneva) hit a lay-up, giving Mount Union their first lead since the first quarter, 60-58. Capital regained the lead 64-63 with 1:36 left. Sweeney responded with another three-pointer to put the Raiders up for good. 

Mount Union continues OAC action Wednesday, Jan. 15 as they host Muskingum at 7 p.m.