MONMOUTH, Ill. - Ripon fell to Monmouth College Friday night by a score of 86-72, as the Fighting Scots shot 60 percent (35-58) from the field, including 67 percent (20-30) in the second half, en route to the victory.

Ripon (11-7, 7-4 MWC) started the game off well, connecting on a Ryan Steffes 3-pointer on their opening possession, but that would be the team's only lead of the night. Monmouth (9-9, 7-4 MWC) then scored the next seven points to take the lead, and they wouldn't look back. The Fight Scots led by as many as 14 points in the first half, and led 40-30 at the half.

Like the first half, Ripon scored on their opening possession of the second half, cutting the lead to eight on a Cal Schultz jumper, but a Monmouth basket on the ensuing basket gave the Fighting Scots a double-digit lead for the remainder of the contest. Their largest lead of 27 came with six and a half minutes to play.

Ripon shot 50 percent (28-56) from the field, but converted just 19 percent (3-16) of their 3-pointers. Trent Jones led the way with 19 points, while Schultz added 18. Steffes chipped in with 12 points, making all four of his field goals, including a pair of 3-pointers, while also making both of his free throw attempts. Owen Theune contributed nine points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Monmouth was led by a monser game from Will Carius, who recorded game-highs of 35 points and 14 rebounds, while making 14 of his 17 shots from the field. Jonathan Oradiegwu made all five of his shots for 11 points off the bench, while D.J. Swift and Tyler Houston each scored 10 points.

Now in a three-way tie for third place in the Midwest Conference standings, Ripon will travel to Grinnell College on Saturday. That game will begin at 3 p.m. in Grinnell, Iowa, and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.