Box Score

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - Ripon dropped their second game of the Chicago Mariott Tournament Saturday afternoon, losing to Bluffton University, 64-57, in an event hosted by North Central College. The Red Hawks trailed for much of the game, but nearly erased a 25-point second half deficit, pulling to within a single point with under two and a half minutes to play, which is as close as they would get to a lead in the second half.

Ripon (0-2) got off to a good start, scoring five of the game's first seven points. That lead lasted until the 13 minute mark when Bluffton's Kylee Burkholder gave her team the lead. After Bluffton (1-1) took a five-point advantage with under four minutes left in the half, layups by Chelsea Sorbo and Nicole Herkert pulled Ripon to within one. Bluffton then went on a 9-2 run to end the half, taking an eight point lead into the locker room.

Bluffton continued to build momentum in the second half, which they began with a 23-6 run to take a 25-point lead with under 10 and a half minutes remaining. After that, the tide began to change, as Ripon stormed back with a furious comeback by going on a 26-2 run of their own during an eight minute span. That included a string of 17 unanswered points, which included a pair of 3-pointers by Kacie Cullen and one from Abby Thelen. Bluffton would extend that lead to five with 33 seconds to play, but Herkert pulled Ripon to within three with 28 seconds on the clock. That would be the Red Hawks' final basket however, as Bluffton sealed the game by making all four of their free throws in the final 17 seconds.

For the second straight game, Herkert led Ripon in scoring, posting a game-high 15 points, to go along with eight rebounds (four offensive). Jill VanEperen added 10 points, five rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocked shots, while Cullen chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds. The Red Hawks shot 36.4 percent (24-66) from the field, compared to 35.6 percent (21-59) for Bluffton.

Bluffton was led by Gwen Downing's 13 points and five rebounds off the bench, as she converted on all four of her field goals, including three 3-pointers. Burkholder added 10 points and six rebounds, while Kaitlyn Pennekamp posted nine points and nine rebounds.

The Red Hawks will now get ready for their 2013-14 home opener on Wednesday against UW-Oshkosh. That game will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Ripon and can be seen live on http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/ripon.portal. That game will also serve as Whiteout Night, as all fans in attendance are asked to wear white.