KENOSHA, Wis. - The Ripon College Men's Basketball Team could not slow down a red-hot Carthage team in the first half, leading to a deficit the Red Hawks could not overcome in an 89-69 road defeat Tuesday night.
 
Jaylen Mahone poured in a game-high 31 points for Ripon, but only one other Red Hawk, Owen Theune, joined him in double-figures on the night with 13 points. Mahone knocked-down 5-of-7 from three-point range and as a team Ripon shot 12-of-26 from distance. But their 46 percent shooting from behind the arc was countered by Carthage's blistering 60 percent (12-of-20) from three and 67 percent from the field.
 
The Red Hawks trailed 7-5 early after a Theune three-pointer cut their deficit to two points, but Ripon went cold after that and struggled to slow down Carthage. Over the next 6 minutes, Carthage went on a 21-2 run to break open a 21-point lead. Ripon's deficit continued to stay in the upper teens to mid20s before finally closing at a 47-28 halftime score in favor of Carthage. Ripon shot just 33 percent from the floor while Carthage shot 76 percent in the opening half.
 
Ripon put forth a valiant effort in the second 20 minutes, essentially matching Carthage shot-for-shot, but the night belonged to the home team as, despite Ripon shooting 63 percent in the second half, they were still outscored 42-41, and ultimately defeated 89-69.
 
Ripon now turns their attention to the start of their Midwest Conference schedule with a road game against Illinois College on Saturday, December 3^rd. The MWC opener will tip-off at 3:00 p.m.