RIPON, Wis. - Ripon scored more than 100 points in Saturday's game, but it was the defense that was the headliner, as the Red Hawks defeated Grinnell 104-71, holding the nation's number two-ranked scoring offense 39 points below their season average. That also marks the fewest points Grinnell has scored in a game in nine years, and is the fewest they've scored against Ripon in two decades.

Grinnell (10-9, 6-6 MWC) scored the game's first basket, but Ripon (12-7, 8-4 MWC) scored the next nine points to take a lead that they would never relinquish. The Red Hawks extended that lead to double-digits just six minutes into the game on a Jaylen Mahone layup. Grinnell cut the lead to three with seven minutes left in the half, but that's as close as it would get the rest of the day. Seth Kostroski connected on a jumper in the final minute to send Ripon to the locker room with an 11-point advantage.

Ripon led by double-digits for the remainder of the contest, shooting 56 percent (40-72) from the field, including 60 percent (21-35) in the second half. The Red Hawks also held Grinnell to just 28 percent (25-89) shooting in the game, including just 24 percent (16-67) from 3-point range. Ripon's largest lead of 34 points came in the final minutes on a pair of David DeValk free throws.

Trent Jones led Ripon with 27 points, to go along with a career-high 12 rebounds, and six assists. Mahone added 19 points and five rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench, while Kostroski scored 17, while dishing out five assists, and converting 3-of-6 from 3-point range. DeValk added 12 points and eight rebounds (three offensive), while making all five of his field goal attempts.

Grinnell was led by Aiden Gilbert's 15 points, four rebounds, and three steals, while Brad Geiman and Christian Brookens each scored 10.

With the win, Ripon now sits in a tie for second place with Monmouth in the Midwest Conference standings, three games out of first with six regular season games remaining. The Red Hawks will try to keep their momentum rolling on Wednesday when they'll travel to Lake Forest College. That game is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.