RIPON, Wis. - Despite leading by seven points at halftime, Ripon's women's basketball team lost to Carthage College on Saturday by a score of 63-52, as Carthage outscored the Red Hawks 40-22 in the final 20 minutes. Ripon shot 48 percent (12-25) in the first half, before making 35 percent (9-26) of their second half shots. Carthage did just the opposite, shooting 31 percent (8-26) in the first half and 56 percent (14-25) after halftime.

Carthage (8-4) controlled the game early on, taking a 12-5 lead with less than two minutes remaining in the opening quarter. The Lady Reds took an 18-11 lead on a 3-pointer by Bailey Gilbert two minutes into the second quarter, but Ripon (5-5) answered with 10 consecutive points, with five apiece coming from Emma McDonald and Natalie Gieger during that run. After Carthage scored five straight points to take a 23-21 lead, Geiger grabbed the lead back for the Red Hawks on a 3-pointer, which was the beginning of a 9-0 run to close the half, culminating on a three-point play by Caitie Carpenter with no time remaining.

Ripon's lead disappeared in the third quarter, as Carthage used a 12-4 run to take the lead with five minutes to play in the period. The lead then changed hands a few times before Carthage ended the quarter on an 8-0 run to take a 43-36 lead into the final frame. The Lady Reds would lead by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter, outscoring Ripon 20-16 in that period.

McDonald finished with a team-high 13 points for the Red Hawks, which included three 3-pointers. Geiger added 10 points, all of which came in the first half, as she made both of her 3-point attempts, while also tying a career-high with a team-leading four assists. Jonalee Elliott led all players with 10 rebounds and three blocked shots. Ripon out-rebounded Carthage 38-29, but turned the ball over 19 times, which Carthage converted into 20 points.

Maggie Berigan led Carthage with a game-high 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Morgan Harris added 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Autumn Kalis scored 11 points, while also recording three steals.

Ripon will be back in action on Wednesday when they'll resume conference play at Grinnell College. That game will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Grinnell, Iowa, and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.