FOND DU LAC, Wis. - The Ripon College women's basketball team defeated Marian University 63-51 Tuesday night, helping the Red Hawks remain undefeated and giving them more wins than they had all of last year. Ripon's 3-0 record is their best start to a season in 11 years and is the eighth time in the 40-year history of the program that they've won their first three games of the season.

Ripon (3-0), which never trailed in Tuesday's game, scored the first seven points before Marian (2-1) even got on the scoreboard. The Sabres would cut that lead to two with one minute left in the first quarter, but a Megan Jensen 3-pointer and subsequent layup by Maddie Koster gave the Red Hawks a seven-point lead entering the second quarter.

The Red Hawks led by nine at halftime and continued to extend their lead in the second half. Ripon's largest lead of the game came mid-way through the third period when Nicole Herkert connected on her third 3-pointer of the season on as many attempts. Marian would cut that lead to six with just minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but Ripon converted all 10 of their free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.

Ripon finished the game shooting 43 percent (23-54) from the field and 87 percent (13-15) from the free throw line. Jensen led the way with a team-high 13 points, to go along with four rebounds, both of which tied a career-high. Emma McDonald added 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shot, while Jonalee Elliott chipped in with six points, four rebounds and a career-high six assists, while also blocking three shots.

Marian was held to 30 percent (14-47) shooting in the game. They were led by Nicole Paulus and Lindsay Vogels, both of whom finished with 13 points. Molly Kovarik added 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting.

The Red Hawks will try to improve to 4-0 on December 2 when they'll travel to St. Norbert College. That game will begin at 7:30 p.m. in DePere, Wis., and can be seen live at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/snc/.