LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Ripon's women's basketball team defeated Lake Forest 82-68 Wednesday, as the Red Hawks more than doubled up the amount of rebounds, out-rebounding the Foresters 47-23. Ripon shot 49 percent (25-51) from the field on the night, while holding Lake Forest to 32 percent (19-59) shooting.

The first quarter was tightly contested, featuring three ties and four lead changes. Ripon (15-5, 11-2 MWC) took the lead for good on the first basket of the second quarter, on an Alison Leslie layup. That was the beginning of a 19-9 run that gave the Red Hawks a 36-25 lead with under three minutes left in the half. Ripon would take a six-point advantage into halftime.

The Red Hawks would keep Lake Forest (9-10, 6-6 MWC) at arm's length for the rest of the game, as they would not get within six points the rest of the way. Ripon's largest lead of the night came in the final minutes when a Leslie layup gave them a 15-point advantage.

Leslie led all scorers with 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting, while fellow freshman Bonnie Jensen scored a career-high 18 points to go along with eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Megan Dille added 11 points and nine rebounds (three offensive), while Alyassa Burgess posted 10 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.

Lake Forest was led by Kelsey Burton's 20 points, while Maggie Kersting added 17 points and eight rebounds (five offensive) off the bench. Zaria Sydnor chipped in with nine points and four assists.

With the win, Ripon remains in a first-place tie with Monmouth College in the MWC standings. The Red Hawks will try to keep up their winning ways on Saturday when they'll travel to Lawrence University. That game will begin at 3 p.m. in Appleton, Wis., and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.