RIPON, Wis. - In what was their first home game of the year, despite being eight games into the season, the Ripon women's basketball team proved that there truly is no place like home, cruising to a 97-84 victory over Knox College, which saw Ripon lead from start to finish. The Red Hawks' 97 points is tied for the seventh-highest single game total in program history. Ripon's 40 made field goals is tied for fourth in program history, while their 10 3-pointers and 3-point percentage of .625 (10-16) also each rank fourth all-time.

Ripon (5-3, 3-1 MWC) set a high-scoring pace early on, posting 30 points in both the first and second quarters. The Red Hawks scored the game's first four points and never looked back, taking a 20-point lead into halftime. Ripon built their lead thanks to shooting a scintillating 63 percent (24-38) in the first half, including 70 percent (7-10) from 3-point range.

After the break, Ripon continued to dominate, beginning the third quarter on a 15-5 run to take a 30-point lead mid-way through the period. That would be the Red Hawks' largest lead of the contest, as they would coast to victory in a game that saw six Ripon players score in double figures.

Maddie Koster led the way with 16 points, 14 of which came in the first half, to go along with four rebounds, four assists, and five steals. Eleanore Mueller also scored 16 points, in addition to seven rebounds, while Maggie Oimoen recorded her fourth double-double, and second in a three-game span, with 15 points and 12 rebounds (six offensive), while adding a game-high four blocked shots. McKenzie Banasik and Jonalee Elliott also chipped in with 10 points apiece. Ripon out-rebounded the Prairie Fire 48-21, as the Red Hawks nearly grabbed more offensive rebounds (20) as Knox had total rebounds.

Knox (3-4, 2-2 MWC) was led by 19 points, four assists, and four steals by Naja Woods. Jarrelyn McCall added 14 points and five rebounds, while Hailey Leinart scored 12 points off the bench. Knox was outscored in the paint 48-30, while also out-scored 24-7 in second-chance points.

Ripon will be in action again on Friday when they'll travel up Highway 44 to battle the Titans of UW-Oshkosh. That game will begin at 7 p.m. in Oshkosh, Wis. and can be heard at http://www.uwosh.edu/wrst/.