JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - Ripon erased a five-point deficit in the final minute of regulation Saturday afternoon to send the game to overtime, but couldn't come out on top, losing to Illinois College, 72-65. The Red Hawks stayed in the game by taking care of the ball, committing just 10 turnovers, while forcing 15 Illinois College miscues. The Lady Blues still managed to lead for 44 of the game's 45 minutes, with Ripon tying the score on two occasions.

The Lady Blues (14-7, 11-5 MWC) scored the first basket of the game on the opening possession and would lead for the rest of the half. IC's largest lead came five and a half minutes into the game when they took an 11-3 lead on a 3-pointer by Melissa Solario. Ripon (2-19, 2-14 MWC) would eventually get that lead down to two, before going into halftime trailing 27-22.

Illinois College would take a nine-point lead mid-way through the second half, but Ripon would cut that to one thanks in large part to Emma McDonald's 14 second half points. An IC free throw gave the Lady Blues some breathing room with just under one minute left in regulation, putting them up by five points, but that would be answered by a furious rally by the Red Hawks in which they scored five points in four seconds, capped by a Meg Ryan 3-pointer to tie the score at 56 with 33 seconds remaining. Two IC free throws would give them the lead once more, but Nicole Herkert answered for the Red Hawks with a layup to tie the game in the final seconds and send it to OT.

In the extra period, Illinois College scored the first four points and would take a seven-point lead with two minutes remaining. A Mikayla Hartman basket cut that lead to three with one minute to play, but that would be as close as Ripon would get the rest of the day.

McDonald led Ripon with a career-high 19 points, while Hartman recorded career-bests of 12 points and nine rebounds. Jonalee Elliott added 10 points, four rebounds, and two blocked shots, putting her seventh in school history for single season blocks.

Illinois College was led by a double-double from Hannah McGinnis, who finished with game-highs of 25 points and 24 rebounds, which is just two shy of a conference record. Maddy Keith added 19 points and nine boards, while Solorio scored 16.

Ripon will now get ready for their 2015 home finale Wednesday against Beloit College. That game will also serve as Senior Night, honoring Chelsea Moldenhauer, and will be a Red Out in which all fans in attendance are asked to wear red to the games, while also raising awareness for heart disease.

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