RIPON, Wis. - Ripon's women's basketball team defeated Beloit College 66-44 Wednesday night to improve to 8-3 in the Midwest Conference, which marks their best conference record in seven years. The Red Hawks shot 48 percent (29-60) in the game, including 57 percent (4-7) from 3-point range, while holding Beloit to 36 percent (19-53) shooting.

Ripon (10-6, 8-3 MWC) got out to an early four-point lead, but Beloit (3-13, 1-10 MWC) scored the next 10 points to take a 13-7 lead with three minutes left in the opening quarter. The Red Hawks then cut that lead to one at the end of the period and scored the first points of the second quarter on a jumper by Maggie Oimoen to take a lead that they would never relinquish.

After taking a nine-point lead into halftime, the Red Hawks would extend that lead to double digits in the third quarter, outscoring Beloit 15-11 in the period, before outscoring the Buccaneers 17-8 in the final frame.

Oimoen and Eleanore Mueller each led Ripon with 12 points, combining to shoot 57 percent (12-21) from the field. Nicole Herkert added seven points, while Maddie Koster posted six points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Beloit was led by a 14-point effort by Nora Polaski. Melissa McLean added 13 points and four rebounds off the bench, while Jaylan Dunn scored six points.

With the win, the Red Hawks grab sole possession of third place in the MWC standings, just one game behind St. Norbert. Ripon will look to extend their two-game winning streak on Saturday when they'll face Illinois College at 1 p.m. in Ripon. That day will also serve as Ripon's annual Alumni Basketball Day, with the women's Alumni game taking place at 9 a.m.