JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - The Ripon College Men's Basketball Team scored just four points over the last 4-plus minutes of the game and dropped a road contest at Illinois College, 62-61, in their first Midwest Conference game of the season.
 
It wasn't the greatest shooting day for Ripon, who connected on 43 percent of field goal attempts and just 25 percent of three-point attempts, but even with their shooting woes, Ripon was in position to pull out the victory late in the game. However, Jaylen Mahone had two good looks in the final 10 seconds, but he could get neither to fall as Ripon would go on to lose.
 
Ripon dominated the first half and led by as many as 18 points, 31-13, with 2:26 left in the opening frame. Illinois College did close the half on a substantial run, but Ripon still led 33-22 at the break.
 
It only took 3 minutes for the lead to dwindle to single digits, but Ripon kept Illinois at arm's length, the lead only dropping to 5 points once before the final 3 minutes. After Mahone hit a pair of free throws with 4:17 on the clock, Ripon struggled on the offensive end. Between turnovers and missed shots, Ripon was stuck at 57 points and watched as Illinois chipped away at what little lead was left. The Red Hawks made some plays late, but a late turnover gave Illinois what became the winning free throws in the 62-61 defeat.
 
Owen Theune led Ripon with 12 points and David DeValk had 10 as the only two Red Hawks in double-figures. Mahone, who had been on a tear, shot just 2-of-13 for 8 points.
 
Ripon gets back at in on Wednesday, December 7^th with a home game against Beloit College. The MWC contest is set to start at 7:30 p.m.