RIPON, Wis. - Ripon's men's basketball team remained atop the Midwest Conference standings Saturday afternoon thanks to an 84-75 win against Lawrence University. The Red Hawks shot 54 percent (30-56) from the field, including 59 percent (10-17) from 3-point range. 

Ripon (9-5, 5-0 MWC) controlled the game early, scoring the first eight points, and taking a 10-point lead just a few minutes into the contest. Lawrence (6-9, 3-3 MWC) would close the gap however, using a 15-2 run to take a one-point lead on a 3-pointer by Brad Sendell. Drew Jorgensen then gave Ripon the lead right back with back-to-back baskets, including one of his team-high four 3-pointers. The Red Hawks would end the half on a 14-2 run to take a 12-point lead into halftime.

The Red Hawks continued to lead by double-digits with 12 minutes remaining, before a flurry of Sendell 3-pointers got the Vikings back into the game, cutting Ripon's lead to 66-65 on a Sendell 3-pointer with six minutes to play. Lawrence would tie the score at 71 with under four to play, but they couldn't get over the hump. Ripon ended the game on a 13-4 run to earn the victory.

Ryan Steffes led Ripon with 17 points and seven rebounds, while converting all three of his 3-point attempts. David DeValk added 16 points and three blocks, while Jorgensen and Owen Theune recorded 14 and 13 points, respectively. Dominic Galati also chipped in with 10 points and a career-high five assists, giving all five Ripon starters double figures scoring.

Lawrence was led by Sendell, who finished with 38 points on 13-of-25 shooting, including 8-of-14 from behind the 3-point line. He also recorded five rebounds and a team-best four assists. Elliot Jung and Jake Fisher each scored nine points.

Ripon will try to keep things rolling on Tuesday when they'll travel to Lake Forest College. That game will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Lake Forest, Ill., and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.