Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - The Ripon men's basketball team clinched a spot in this year's Midwest Conference Championship Saturday afternoon with a 95-84 victory at Illinois College, marking the fourth time in the last five years that the Red Hawks will appear in the MWC's postseason tourney. They earned that distinction with one of their best shooting nights of the season, making a school-record 15 3-pointers against IC. Eight of those threes came from Ty Ketz, marking the second-highest single game total by a player in program history, just one shy of the school record.

The first half was tightly contested in the early going, featuring 11 lead changes in the first 12 minutes, with neither team leading by more than four during that span. That all changed in the final eight minutes of the period, as Ripon (14-7, 11-5 MWC) scored 15 consecutive points in a four and a half minute span to take a 36-22 lead with five minutes left in the half. The Red Hawks would later extend that lead to 17 points, but back-to-back Illinois College baskets in the final 36 seconds kept the Blueboys (12-9, 8-8 MWC) in the game, as they trailed by 12 at intermission.

Ripon led by double digits for the majority of the second half, with Illinois College getting as close as eight points. The Red Hawks' largest lead of the game came early in the period when one of Ketz's flurry of 3-pointers gave the team a 22-point advantage. The number one free throw shooting team in Division-III, Ripon was able to maintain their lead thanks to shooting 86 percent (12-14) from the charity stripe.

In addition to their stellar shooting at the line, Ripon also converted 55 percent (34-62) of their shots from the field, including 56 percent (15-27) from behind the 3-point line. In addition to his scoring outburst, Ketz also tied for the team lead with five assists. Ty Sabin added 19 points on 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range, to go along with five assists and two steals. Brad Brooks chipped in with 15 points, making seven of his 10 shots.

Illinois College was led by Brandon Berry's 22 points, while Nathan Kohler scored 20 on 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range. Chris Marrs finished with 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting. The Blueboys shot 62 percent (36-58) from the field, but attempted just four free throws, making three.

Ripon is now tied for second in the MWC standings. They will play again Wednesday against conference-leading and sixth-ranked St. Norbert College in what will be their final home game of the season. It will also serve as Ripon's annual Senior Day and will be a Red Out in which all fans are asked to wear red to the games.
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