Box Score
GRINNELL, Iowa - In a game that featured 10 ties and 12 lead changes, including six in overtime, Grinnell College defeated the Red Hawks 57-56 in double OT, despite never leading by more than three points. Both teams shot the ball well in the first half, each converting more than 40 percent of their shots, but struggled the rest of the way, with both teams making less than 30 percent of their field goals in the second half and overtime.
The two teams traded baskets in the early going, with Grinnell (2-2, 2-0 MWC) taking a 5-4 lead two and a half minutes into the contest. That would be the Pioneers final lead of the half however, as Kacie Cullen gave Ripon (2-3, 1-1 MWC) the lead with a basket on the ensuing possession. That was the start of a 10-2 run, which was capped by a Brittany Johnson layup, giving the Red Hawks the largest lead of the game, 14-7. Grinnell ended the half on a 6-2 run, as the two teams entered halftime with Ripon leading 26-24.
Grinnell took their first lead in over 25 minutes when Crystal Coleman connected on a 3-pointer to give Grinnell a three point lead with 12 and a half minutes to play. Ripon tried their best to pull away, taking a seven-point lead on a three point play by Jill Van Eperen with three and a half minutes left in regulation. Grinnell then scored 11 of the game's next 13 points to take a two point lead with four seconds left. They would miss the back end of a one-and-one however, allowing Erin Lind to grab the rebound and quickly get it to Sia Gonyo at the other end of the court for the game-tying layup at the buzzer.
Each team scored four points in the first overtime, with Ripon missing a potential game-winner with three seconds left, moving the game to a second OT. In that second extra frame, Grinnell took an early lead only to see Lind convert a jumper with one and a half minutes left, giving Ripon their first lead of the period. Michelle Briggs answered with a jumper for the Pioneers on the ensuing possession, which would prove to be the winning score.
Van Eperen led the Red Hawks with 21 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, to go along with seven assists and six steals. Lind added 12 points and 14 rebounds (five offensive), while Kacie Cullen recorded nine points and five boards. Ripon finished the game shooting just six percent (1-18) from 3-point range.
Grinnell was led by Michelle Briggs' 15 points, 14 rebounds, four blocked shots and three steals. Rebecca DeGroot added 14 points and five rebounds, while Coleman scored 10 on 4-of-7 shooting off the bench.
Ripon will now regroup and focus on Tuesday's game against Beloit. That game will begin at 5 p.m. at Storzer Center in Ripon and will be in conjunction with Ripon's "Drive To The Hoop" Event in which all fans are asked to bring a canned good and/or a new or unused toy. Doing so will allow for free admittance into the game.
