GALESBURG, Ill. - Ripon's women's basketball team forced 22 turnovers Saturday afternoon, which they turned into 27 points in a 72-62 win at Knox College. The Red Hawks recorded 13 steals and three blocked shots on the day, while holding Knox to 36 percent (8-22) shooting in the second half. The win moves Ripon into a first place tie with Lake Forest atop the Midwest Conference standings.

Neither team led by more than three points in the opening quarter, which ended tied at 11. Ripon (5-3, 3-1 MWC) began to take control of the contest in the second period, which they began with an 8-2 run. An Emma McDonald jumper put the Red Hawks up 19-13 with six and a half minutes left in the half, but Knox (5-2, 2-1 MWC) would cut that lead to one just two minutes later. Ripon continued to lead at halftime, taking a 32-28 lead on a Megan Dille jumper with seconds remaining.

Ripon came out hot in the second half, scoring 26 points in the third quarter, while shooting 56 percent (15-27) from the field after halftime, including 55 percent (6-11) from 3-point range. The Red Hawks ended the third quarter on a 14-6 run to take an 11-point advantage into the final quarter. Their largest lead of 15 came with two minutes to play on a free throw by Eleanore Mueller.

Ripon's bench played a crucial role in the game, scoring nearly half of the team's points and outscoring Knox's bench 35-4. Jonalee Elliott led the Red Hawks with 12 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and three steals off the bench, while freshman Jesi Nay scored a career-high 11 points, including three 3-pointers, in a reserve role. Mueller finished with 12 points and tied a career-high with four assists.

Knox was led by a double-double from Morgan Potter, who posted 11 points and 12 rebounds. Jarrelyn McCall led all players with 18 points, to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Hailey Leinart added 14 points on four 3-pointers for the Prairie Fire.

The Red Hawks will be in action again Friday when they'll travel to UW-Stevens Point for a non-conference contest. That game will begin at 7 p.m. in Stevens Point, Wis., and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/uwsp/#live.