Box Score

DePERE, Wis. - The Ripon women's basketball season drew to a close Tuesday evening with a 45-31 loss to St. Norbert College. The Red Hawks forced 28 St. Norbert turnovers, but couldn't overcome their poor shooting as they converted 24 percent (12-50) of their field goals in the game.

The Red Hawks (10-13, 9-9 MWC) only lead of the game would come in the opening minutes after a pair of Erin Lind free throws gave them a 2-0 advantage. A Krista Hawkinson 3-pointer would give the Green Knights (15-7, 12-5 MWC) the lead for good one minute later. That marked the first of three consecutive 3-pointers that keyed an 11-0 run for St. Norbert. The Green Knights never led by less than seven the rest of the way, taking a 22-13 lead into halftime.

St. Norbert didn't pull away until the eight minute mark in the second half when they scored seven unanswered points to take a 20-point lead and put the game out of reach.  The Green Knights were able to maintain their lead by shooting 43 percent (16-37) in the game.

Kacie Cullen made half of Ripon's 12 field goals, converting 6-of-14 shots for a team-high 14 points. Brittany Johnson added six points and three rebounds, while Jill VanEperen posted five points, five rebounds and two steals. VanEperen finishes the season with 70 steals, becoming just the second player in program history to achieve that feat and ending the year nine steals away from the school's single season record.

St. Norbert was led by 13 points apiece by Hawkinson and Morgan Heim. Heidi Van Sistine was third on the team in scoring with five points, to go along with a game-high nine rebounds off the bench.

Ripon finishes the year with its second consecutive non-losing conference record. They ranked third in the MWC in scoring defense, allowing 54.5 points per game.