RIPON, Wis. - Coming off their first two conference losses of the season, the Ripon College women's basketball team gathered a much-needed win with a 68-62 victory against Grinnell College. Ripon's bench dominated the game, scoring more than half of the Red Hawks points, while outscoring the Pioneers' reserves 35-6. Ripon earned the victory wearing custom-made teal uniforms in honor of longtime Coach and Athletic Director Julie Johnson, while playing in front of Ripon players from years gone by on what was their annual Alumni Basketball Day.

Ripon (14-5, 10-2 MWC) was locked in from the outset, scoring the game's first seven points and getting out to a 13-2 lead mid-way through the opening quarter. The Red Hawks took a 20-12 lead into the second quarter, only to see that lead evaporate, as Grinnell finished off a 23-10 run to take a two-point advantage. That lead was short-lived, as Kiana Fall tied it for the Red Hawks on the ensuing possession. After Grinnell took a three-point lead later in the half, Ripon tied the score again on a three-point play by Alyassa Burgess. Fall would then hit a pair of free throws to give the Red Hawks the lead for good, as they would take a 35-31 lead into halftime.

The Red Hawks clung to a one-point lead just three minutes into the second half, but they were able to hold Grinnell at arm's length the rest of the night, taking a 10-point lead into the final quarter. Ripon still led by 10 mid-way through the fourth, before Grinnell used a 10-2 run to cut the lead to two with under two minutes remaining. Bonnie Jensen would then hit a timely jumper, followed by a couple defensive stops and a pair of free throws to seal the victory. Ripon converted 83 percent (20-24) of their foul shots in the game, including 82 percent (14-17) in the second half.

Megan Dille led Ripon with 13 points, to go along with four rebounds (three offensive), while Jensen recorded her first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while also dishing out four assists. Jesi Nay also scored 12 points, to go along with a game-high three steals.

Grinnell was led by Tyria Heath's 19 points, while Kate Tomczik recorded 17 points and eight rebounds on 6-of-7 shooting. Kathryn Stender added 11 points for the Pioneers.

The win keeps pace with Monmouth atop the Midwest Conference standings, as both teams remain tied for first place with six regular season games remaining, 1.5 games ahead of the third-place team. Ripon will be in action again on Wednesday when they'll travel to Lake Forest College. That game will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Lake Forest, Ill., and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.