Box Score

WAUKESHA, Wis. - For the fifth time this season and second game in a row, the Ripon men's basketball team converted at least 54 percent of their shots from the field. The Red Hawks shot a season-high 64 percent (29-45) Saturday afternoon, including 70 percent (16-23) in the first half, en route to an 87-71 victory at Carroll University. The win also marked the second consecutive game that Ripon made at least 64 percent of their 3-point attempts, converting 11-of-17 shots from beyond the arc.

Ripon (5-3, 3-2 MWC) never trailed in the first half, scoring the first five points of the game and taking an 11-2 lead just four and a half minutes into the contest. Kyle Loughrin scored 17 of his game-high 23 points in the opening period, as he converted seven of his 10 shots in the half, including three 3-pointers. His final 3-pointer gave Ripon its largest lead of the half of 10 points with five minutes to play.

After whittling that lead to five at the break, Carroll (4-3, 2-2 MWC) scored the first six points of the second half to take their first lead of the game with 17 and a half minutes remaining. That lead would be short-lived, as a Ty Ketz 3-pointer gave Ripon the lead on the ensuing possession. That was the beginning of a 23-6 run for the Red Hawks, which gave them a 16-point advantage with 10 and a half minutes to play. Carroll would cut the lead to seven with five and a half to play, but Ripon would outscore the Pioneers 17-2 over the next four minutes to put the game away.

In addition to Loughrin's 23 points, Ketz added 21 for the Red Hawks on 6-of-8 shooting, including a team-high four 3-pointers. Ty Sabin added 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting. The Red Hawks put the game on ice at the free thorw line, converting 82 percent (18-22) from the charity stripe, including 88 percent (15-17) in the second half.

Carroll was led by 22 points from Andrew Nottling. Kevin Hurd added 16 points, while Alec Molter scored 12, to go along with seven rebounds. Carroll outscored Ripon in the paint, 46-24.

Ripon will try to extend their winning streak to three on December 29 when they'll travel to California to take on California Lutheran. That game will begin at 6 p.m. Pacific Time in Thousand Oaks, Calif.