Box Score

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Ripon suffered their third loss by four points or less Saturday afternoon, as they were edged by Carroll University 59-57. One key to the game was turnovers, as Ripon committed 25, resulting in 19 Carroll points, while the Pioneers turned the ball over 18 times.

Carroll (5-2, 3-1 MWC) scored the first four points of the game and didn't trail until a Chelsea Moldenhauer 3-pointer gave the Red Hawks (3-5, 3-2 MWC) a two-point lead with just over 13 minutes remaining in the half. After the two teams traded baskets on the next two possessions, Ripon would lead for the final 12 minutes of the half. Ripon shot 48 percent (11-23) in the first half for a 29-27 lead at intermission.

The second half was a different story as Ripon converted 35 percent (8-23) of their shots. Carroll took a one-point lead on a 3-pointer by Emily DeNoyer with 17 minutes remaining and wouldn't trail the rest of the day. Ripon made things interesting in the game's final minute, cutting the Pioneer lead to three thanks to six points from Jill VanEperen in the final 44 seconds. Kacie Cullen cut the lead to two on a 3-pointer with one second left, but that was not enough, as time ran out on the Red Hawks.

VanEperen led Ripon with 16 points, to go along with four rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots. Nicole Herkert added 13 points and tied a career-high with eight rebounds. Sia Gonyo also chipped in with seven points, three rebounds and a team-best four assists.

Carroll was led by 13 points and six rebounds from Brianna Johnson, who came off the bench to shoot 5-for-7 from the field, including 2-for-3 from 3-point range. Corrine Engels added 11 points, with nine of those coming at the free throw line. DeNoyer and Breann Maryanski added nine points apiece.

The Red Hawks will try to get back on track on December 27 against Chapman University, which will be part of the Redlands Tournament in Redlands, Calif. That game will begin at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.