MOUNT VERNON, Iowa - Ripon defeated Cornell College Wednesday night by a score of 76-69, behind 47 percent (28-60) shooting and 50 percent (10-20) shooting from 3-point range. That win, which is Ripon's third consecutive victory, pulls the Red Hawks within one-half game of Cornell atop the Midwest Conference standings.

The first half was about as even as a half could be, featuring four ties and 10 lead changes, with neither team leading by more than five points. Ripon (13-8, 9-3 MWC) got out to an early 6-2 lead on a 3-pointer by Owen Theune, before Cornell (14-6, 9-2 MWC) took their first lead of the contest on a jumper by Izic Mackey to give the Rams an 11-10 advantage. The lead then changed hands several times, before Cornell took the largest lead of the half of five points on a 3-pointer by Logan Christensen mid-way through the period. Ripon would take the lead on a 3-pointer by Dominic Galati just one minute before halftime, but a jumper by Christensen tied the score at 38 in the final seconds of the half.

Ryan Steffes gave Ripon the lead on a steal and layup in the opening seconds of the second half, and the Red Hawks wouldn't trail the rest of the night. They began the period on a 10-2 run, which included 3-pointers by Steffes and Drew Jorgensen. Ripon extended that lead to 14 on an Owen Theune 3-pointer mid-way through the half, but Cornell would whittle that lead to five in the final minute. Ripon closed out the game however by connecting on seven of eight free throws in the final 41 seconds.

Theune and Steffes each finished with 19 points and three 3-pointers apiece, while Galati scored a career-high 17 points with a trio of 3-pointers of his own, while connecting on 7-of-12 shots from the field. Jaylen Mahone added eight points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Cornell was led by Cooper Kabela's 13 points and seven rebounds, while Christensen, Logan Sharp, and Jordan Magnani each scored 11 points. Magnani added a game-high 10 rebounds to complete the double-double.

Ripon will try to keep their momentum going on Saturday, when they'll travel to Monmouth College. That game will begin at 1 p.m. in Monmouth, Ill., and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.