RIPON, Wis. - For the first time this century, the Ripon College Men's Basketball team has earned at least a share of the Midwest Conference Championship, defeating Monmouth College 72-55 to earn their first conference title since 1999. The Red Hawks shot 41 percent (26-63) from the field, including 43 percent (12-28) from 3-point range.

Ripon (16-8, 12-3 MWC) brought their A-game from the opening tip, getting out to a 10-3 lead just four and a half minutes into the contest. Monmouth (3-20, 2-13 MWC) would cut that lead to four just a few minutes later, but Ripon would make sure the result wouldn't be in doubt, ending the half on a 24-4 run to take a 26-point halftime lead.

After shooting 28 percent in the first half, Monmouth made 43 percent of their second half shots, while Ripon went from shooting 50 percent before halftime to 32 percent in the second half. That still didn't pull the Fighting Scots closer than 14 the rest of the way, as the Red Hawks coasted to victory, with 10 Ripon players scoring at least two points.

Ripon's bench outscored Monmouth's reserves 40-18, led by Owen Theune's 15 points and five rebounds. Drew Jorgensen added 13 points, including four 3-pointers, while David DeValk chipped in with nine points and nine rebounds.

Monmouth was led by Jordan Metcalf's 13 points and eight rebounds, while Jonathan Oradiegwu added 11 points.

The Red Hawks will close out their regular season on Saturday when they'll travel to Galesburg, Ill. to battle Knox College. A win would clinch hosting rights for Ripon for the 2022 Midwest Conference Tournament. That game will begin at 3 p.m., and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/#live.