RIPON, Wis. -,Ripon gave Cornell all they could handle Saturday afternoon in a game that featured five ties and five lead changes. In the end, Cornell was just too much to handle, as they pulled away for a 68-55 victory behind 46 percent shooting (23-50) from the field and 40 percent shooting (6-15) from 3-point range.

The Red Hawks (2-18, 2-13 MWC) took their largest lead of the game mid-way through the first half on a 3-pointer by Meg Ryan to take a 27-21 advantage. That wouldn't last long, as Cornell (12-8, 10-5 MWC) scored the next seven points to take a one-point lead. After Ripon tied the score on a couple occasions later in the half, Cornell took the a 32-30 lead into halftime thanks to a pair of Taylor Dicus free throws.

Ripon continued to keep things close in the second half, tying the score at 37 with 14 minutes to play on an Emma Balletti basket. Cornell then scored the next nine points to take control of the game. Ripon would only get within five points the rest of the way, as Cornell converted nine of their final 10 free throws.

Emma McDonald and Chelsea Moldenhauer led Ripon with 12 points apiece. Nicole Herkert added seven points and a team-high nine rebounds, while Mikayla Hartman chipped in with six points off the bench. The Red Hawks committed just 14 turnovers, while forcing 15, and finished the game shooting 37 percent (23-63) from the field.

Cornell was led by Rikki Mulloy's 23 points, which included three 3-pointers. Dicus added 15 points, seven rebounds, and three blocked shots, while Kellie Kuzmanic chipped in with 14 points and eight boards.

The Red Hawks will try to turn things around next Saturday when they'll travel to Illinois College. That game will begin at 1 p.m. in Jacksonville, Ill. and can be seen live on,http://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.

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