RIPON, Wis. - In a game in which Ripon never trailed, the Red Hawks defeated Carroll University Wednesday night, 72-62, to earn their sixth win in the team's last seven games. Ripon shot 55 percent (27-49) on the night, including 63 percent (15-24) in a second half that saw them hit clutch shot after clutch shot. The Red Hawks also converted 56 percent (9-16) of their 3-pointers. Carroll finished shooting 52 percent (24-46), from the field, as they made 12-of-23 shots in both the first and second halves.

The two teams traded baskets to start the game, before a pair of Ty Sabin free throws gave Ripon the lead for the game's final 37 and a half minutes. Ripon (9-3, 6-1 MWC) took an early eight point lead, but a 6-0 Carroll run cut that lead to two. Ripon freshman Isaac Masters answered that with a clutch 3-pointer, which would later be followed by a 3-pointer from Justin Leistikow to give the Red Hawks another eight point advantage. Carroll (7-4, 4-2 MWC) would pull to within one later in the half, but Ripon finished the period on a 9-4 run to take a six-point lead into halftime.

Ripon continued to lead by single digits early in the second half, but they would extend their lead to double-digits on a Kyle Loughrin basket mid-way through the period. Minutes later, Sabin would connect on one of his three 3-pointers to give the Red Hawks their largest lead of 14 with eight and a half minutes to play. That lead would be cut in half over the next few minutes, only to see Masters hit another timely 3-pointer to give Ripon a 10-point advantage. Carroll then gave one final push, going on a 9-2 run to cut the lead to three with three and a half minutes remaining. That run was ended by a Sabin basket on the ensuing possession, helping Ripon pull away for the victory.

Sabin finished with 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, while converting all four of his free throws. Loughrin added 20 points and tied a career-high with six assists, while shooting 7-for-14, and converting all five of his free throws. Masters set a career-high with 11 points, hitting all three of his 3-pointers. As a team, Ripon missed just one of their 10 free throws.

Austin Fritz finished with a team-high 18 points off the bench for the Pioneers, making nine of his 10 shots. Marcus Johnson added 15 points, eight boards, and three steals, while Kyle Keranen scored 13 points and Bryan Nagy chipped in with 10 points, to go along with six rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and one steal.

The win helps Ripon remain in second place in the MWC standings, one game behind St. Norbert. The Red Hawks will look to extend their winning streak Saturday at Grinnell. That game will begin at 3 p.m. in Grinnell, Iowa, and can be seen live at,http://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.,,