RIPON, Wis. - Ripon fell to Beloit by a score of 62-49 Wednesday night, due in large part to Beloit's hot hand. The Buccaneers converted 52 percent (22-42) from the floor, including 60 percent (12-20) in the second half, while also converting 50 percent (5-10) of their 3-pointers. Ripon managed to shoot 32 percent (21-65), missing all 11 of their 3-point attempts.

Although there was a large shooting discrepancy, Ripon (2-20, 2-15 MWC) managed to keep things close for one half of play. After falling behind 12-2 in the first nine minutes of action, Ripon battled back with a 10-5 run to cut the Buccaneer lead to five with under five minutes left in the period. After falling behind by nine in the final minute of the half, Jonalee Elliott sank a jumper just before the break to send Ripon to the locker room trailing, 23-16.

Beloit (8-15, 7-11 MWC) wasted no time in the second half, scoring the first 10 points of the period to take control of the game. They would lead by as many as 19, but Ripon fought back to cut the lead to eight on an Elliott jumper with five and a half minutes to play. Ripon would never get closer than that, as Beloit sank seven of their final eight free throws to seal the game.

Nicole Herkert led the Red Hawks with 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting off the bench, to go along with five steals. Emma McDonald added nine points and eight rebounds, while Chelsea Moldenhauer scored nine points and pulled down five boards in what was the final home game of the Senior's career.

Beloit's Lana Wieseman led all scorers with 24 on 9-of-12 shooting, while Laura Panicali added a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The Red Hawks will close out their 2015 season on Saturday at Knox College. That game will begin at 1 p.m. in Galesburg, Ill. and can be seen live at,http://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.

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