MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Ripon's women's basketball team shot 56 percent (23-41) from the field Saturday afternoon, including a scintillating 70 percent (14-20) during the first half, en route to a 65-58 victory over Iowa Wesleyan. The Red Hawks also converted 40 percent (4-10) of their 3-pointers, while converting 70 percent (14-20) of their free throws in the second half to ice the game.

After Iowa Wesleyan (0-3) scored the first basket of the game, Ripon (2-0) went on a 14-3 run to take an eight-point first quarter lead. The Red Hawks would extend that lead to 14 points on a layup by Maddie Koster with two minutes left in the half. After Iowa Wesleyan scored the next eight points, Koster buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer, giving Ripon a nine-point halftime lead.

Ripon never trailed in the second half, but Iowa Wesleyan pulled within three with under one minute to play in the third quarter, only to see Ripon answer with a 3-pointer by Megan Jensen. After building an eight-point advantage with three minutes remaining, Ripon saw their lead whittled down to two with a minute and a half left. The Red Hawks defense would answer the call in that final minute, holding Iowa Wesleyan scoreless, while the Red Hawks also converted five of their final six free throws in the final 41 seconds.

Eleanore Mueller led the Red Hawks with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting, while Nicole Herkert added 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Koster also chipped in with 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting, to go along with three assists. Jensen and Maggie Oimoen each scored eight.

Iowa Wesleyan shot 44 percent (10-23) from 3-point range. They were led by Cairece Allen's 23 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Darby Massner added 12 points, while Josie Zerrusen scored seven.

Ripon will be in action again next weekend when they'll face UW-Whitewater Saturday at 7 p.m. in LaCrosse, Wis. for what will be day one of the two-day UW-LaCrosse Tournament.