MONMOUTH, Ill. -,Ripon entered Saturday's game in third place in the Midwest Conference standings, just one game behind the Monmouth College. Despite shooting 50 percent (8-16) from 3-point range, the Red Hawks couldn't close that gap, suffering a 79-69 loss to the Fighting Scots. The game featured six ties and 12 lead changes, seven of which occurred in the second half.

The Red Hawks (10-5, 7-3 MWC) took control of the game early, scoring 10 of the first 12 points, with five of them coming from Kyle Loughrin. Ripon retained that lead until just under six minutes remaining in the opening half when Monmouth (12-3, 9-1 MWC) completed a 17-5 run to take a one-point advantage. That lead would be short-lived, as a Ty Sabin jumper gave Ripon the lead back on the ensuing possession. The lead would change hands a couple more times in the half, before Ripon took a three-point advantage into the break.

Ripon continued to lead for the first five and a half minutes of the second half, until Monmouth took the lead on a dunk by Andrew Mathison. With the score tied at 55 with nine minutes remaining, Monmouth's Nick Marema gave the Fighting Scots the lead for good. With just under three minutes left, Ripon still trailed by two, but Monmouth made all eight of their free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.

Sabin finished the game with 28 points, including four 3-pointers. Loughrin added 19 points, while Mason Stangl chipped in with six points and a career-high 10 rebounds.,

Monmouth was led by Mathison's double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds. Marema added 16 points off the bench, while Will Jones scored 14 and Chad Thompson chipped in with 10.,

The Red Hawks will try to get back on the winning track Wednesday when they'll host Lawrence University. That game will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Ripon.