RIPON, Wis. - Ripon's women's basketball team held their own for much of Tuesday's game against conference-leading St. Norbert College, but the Green Knights were just too much, as they defeated the Red Hawks 69-60. Ripon held St. Norbert to just 27 percent (8-30) shooting in the first half, but the Green Knights made 40 percent (12-30) of their second half shots. SNC was able to put the game away at the foul line, making 24-of-37 free throws (65 percent), while the Red Hawks attempted just 12 foul shots, making five.

St. Norbert (13-4, 12-0 MWC) took an early 12-6 lead in the first quarter, but Ripon (10-7, 6-6 MWC) answered with a 14-3 run, which included six points by Jonalee Elliott. That gave the Red Hawks their largest lead of the game, taking a five-point advantage with six and a half minutes left in the second quarter. St. Norbert answered with a run of their own, scoring the game's next 10 points, which helped them take a 26-21 halftime lead.

St. Norbert scored the first six points of the second half and led by as many as 12 in the third quarter before Ripon cut that lead to four with a 12-4 run. The Red Hawks remained within shouting distance until the middle of the fourth quarter when St. Norbert went on a 13-7 run to take a 12-point lead with one minute remaining, helping them coast to victory.

Megan Jensen led Ripon with 13 points and four rebounds, while Elliott recorded 12 points, four rebounds and three blocked shots. Nicole Herkert added four points and team-highs of six rebounds and five assists for the Red Hawks, whom shot 43 percent (26-61) from the field.

The Green Knights won despite shooting 33 percent (20-60) from the field. They were led by Stephanie Wiegman's 17 points and eight rebounds, while Brianna Byrne chipped in with 15 points.

Ripon currently sits in a tie for fifth place in the conference standings, just two games out of fourth. They will play one of those teams in front of them on Saturday when they'll travel to Grinnell College. That game will begin at 3 p.m. and can be seen live at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.