RIPON, Wis. - Grinnell College earned their first-ever victory in Ripon Saturday afternoon, defeating the Red Hawks 53-49 in a game that featured seven ties and two lead changes in the first half. Ripon shot 37 percent (19-52) from the field, but just 13 percent (2-16) from 3-point range, while Grinnell made 34 percent (19-56) of their shots.

The game was tightly contested early on, as neither team led by more than six during the first 11 and a half minutes. Meg Ryan scored on each of Ripon's first two possessions, giving Ripon (2-16, 2-11 MWC) an early lead, which they would still hold midway through the half. Grinnell (8-10, 6-7 MWC) then grabbed a 14-13 lead on a three-point play by Alissa Hirsch, and they would never trail again. Ryan tied the game with a pair of free throws late in the half, but Alex Neckopulos gave the Pioneers the lead with a jumper just before halftime.

Grinnell built on that two-point lead in the second half, beginning the period on a 17-8 run to open up an 11-point advantage, thanks to a trio of 3-pointers, including a pair from Kayla Morrissey. Ripon cut that lead to four with three minutes remaining on a 3-pointer by Emma McDonald. Two minutes later, McDonald buried another three to cut the lead to three with under one minute remaining, but a free throw by Grinnell's Anne Boldt put the game out of reach in the final seconds.

Chelsea Moldenhauer led the Red Hawks with 13 points, which tied a career-high. McDonald added 10 points, to go along with three rebounds and two blocked shots, moving her into sixth place for blocks in the school's single season record book with 22 on the year.Mikayla Hartman added eight points and a career-high four assists.

Grinnell was led by Hirsh's 25 points on 9-of-19 shooting, to go along with nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Morrissey added 10 points, while Alex Neckopulos pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds, to go along with four points. The Pioneers outrebounded Ripon 46-31, including 18-7 on the offensive glass.

The Red Hawks will be back in action Wednesday when they'll travel to Carroll University. That game will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Waukesha, Wis. and can be seen live on,http://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.