RIPON, Wis. - The Ripon men's basketball team shot 57 percent (36-65) from the field Saturday afternoon, helping them defeat Grinnell College 100-89. The Red Hawks also outscored Grinnell in the paint, 62-30, while outscoring them 20-0 in fast break points.

Grinnell (5-7, 2-5 MWC) shot just 39 percent (34-87) from the field and 27 percent (17-63) from 3-point range, but they began the game red hot. The Pioneers scored the first seven points of the game and led 16-4 just three minutes into the contest. Ripon (8-5, 6-2 MWC) then used a 23-9 run to take their first lead of the day on a Cal Schultz jumper with eight minutes left in the first half. Grinnell's Julian Marx answered with a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, but Nathan Larson answered back with a layup to put Ripon in front again. That was the beginning of a 16-5 run that gave Ripon a 10-point lead with under two minutes left before halftime.

After taking a five-point lead into the locker room, Ripon's lead vanished completely in the opening minute of the second half, as Grinnell scored eight of the period's first 10 points. Once again, Ripon had an answer, as Elliot Hoerdemann connected on a 3-pointer to give the Red Hawks yet another lead. After trading baskets with the Pioneers, Ripon used a 13-2 run to take a 14-point lead mid-way through the half and they would keep Grinnell at arm's length for the remainder of the game, with the Pioneers only getting to within six the rest of the way.

Ty Sabin led the Red Hawks with 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting, to go along with five rebounds. Hoerdemann added 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers, while Ty Ketz and Brendan McCoy scored 12 and 11 points, respectively. Isaac Masters led the team in assists, with eight, while Koy Brecklin finished with 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Grinnell was led by Marx's game-high 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting. Kyle Parker added 14 points, while Jacob Ekstrand and Danny Thomas each scored 10. Ripon out-rebounded Grinnell in the game, 49-39.

With the win, Ripon keeps place with the top of the conference standings. They remain in third place in the MWC and will try to gain some ground on the top two teams when they travel to Lake Forest College on Tuesday. That game will begin at 5:30 p.m. and can be seen live at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.