Box Score

BELOIT, Wis. - Ripon defeated Beloit College 73-66 Tuesday night, improving their conference record to 9-1, which is the best start to an MWC season by the Red Hawks since going 15-1 during the 2003-04 season. Against the Buccaneers, the Red Hawks continued their efficient shooting that they have shown throughout the season, making 44 percent of their field goals, including 42 percent from 3-point range and connecting on 87 percent of their free throws.

Erin Lind got involved early, scoring Ripon's first two baskets of the game. After trading baskets for the first few trips down the floor, Ripon (13-4, 9-1 MWC) opened an 11-point lead by using a 13-2 run, which saw Carissa Zuercher score seven points. Ripon held a nine-point lead with just under five minutes left in the first half, before Beloit (6-12, 4-7 MWC) went on an 11-4 run to end the half and cut Ripon's lead to two as the teams headed to the locker rooms.

Ripon tried to pull away early in the second half, scoring the first five points of the half, but Beloit would come back yet again. The Buccaneers would cut it to one mid-way through the second half, but that was answered by a 3-pointer from Lind and followed with another jumper from Lind on Ripon's next trip to put them up by six. Leading by six with under seven minutes to play, Beloit put together an 8-1 run to take their first lead of the game with five minutes left. That was answered yet again by the Red Hawks, as Emily Meyer connected on a 3-pointer to give Ripon the lead for good. Ripon converted all eight of their free throws to seal the game and escape with the victory.

Lind finished with 22 points and eight rebounds for the Red Hawks, while Jessica DeHamer added 20 points and seven boards. Meyer chipped in with 13 points and eight rebounds and continued her hot shooting during the second half of the season. With Meyer's 3-for-4 shooting from 3-point range against Beloit, the junior has now converted on 62 percent (21-34) from long-range in Ripon's last seven games.

Beloit was led by 15 points, four rebounds and three assists from Sarah Stariha. Amanda Moore and MacKenzie Hilliard each finished with 11 points, with Moore also grabbing a team-high seven rebounds.

The Red Hawks remain in second place in the MWC standings, one-half game behind Lake Forest. They'll try to keep pace with the Foresters on Friday, as they'll host Grinnell College at 5 p.m. That game will take place at Storzer Center in Ripon and can be seen live on www.pennatlantic.com. The game will also be "Take A Kid To The Game" Day, which will allow all kids to get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket.