WHEATON, Ill. - In a game that featured 11 lead changes, including six in the final two and a half minutes, Ripon lost to sixth-ranked Wheaton (Ill.) College. That marks Ripon's second loss to a top 15 team this week by a combined five points. The Red Hawks shot 47 percent (26-55) from the field against Wheaton, including 39 percent (5-13) from 3-point range, while the Thunder converted 40 percent (25-62) of their field goals and 36 percent (8-22) from 3-point range.

Ripon started the game off right with a 3-pointer by Drew Jorgensen. The lead changed hands three times in the first half, with Wheaton using an 11-2 run to take a 13-point advantage mid-way through the half. The Red Hawks battled back however, cutting that lead to three on an Owen Theune layup before halftime.

Ripon wasted no time tying the score early in the second half, doing so on a 3-pointer by Jaylen Mahone. Wheaton would go up by double digits again mid-way through the period on a layup by Cade Alioth. The Red Hawkis then scored 11 consecutive points, capped off by a Ryan Steffes 3-pointer to take a one point lead with five minutes remaining. After Wheaton went up again by four with under four minutes to play, Steffes hit another three, followed by a Theune layup to give Ripon the lead again with two and a half minutes on the clock. The lead would change hands again four more times in the next minute and a half with the teams trading baskets, capped by a Mahone jumper with one minute remaining to give Ripon a 62-61 lead. Alioth then made a 3-pointer on Wheaton's ensuing possession to give the Thunder the lead for good.

Steffes and Mahone each finished with 17 points, with Steffes also collecting six rebounds and four assists. Theune finished with 13 points, five rebounds, and two assists.

Nyameye Adom and Eli Considine each finished with 19 points to lead Wheaton, while Alioth added a double double of 17 points and 16 rebounds.

Ripon will try to get back on track Saturday when they'll open conference play at home against Illinois College. That game will begin at 1 p.m. in Ripon, and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.