RIPON, Wis. -- The Red Hawks men's basketball program (0-3, 0-0 MWC) battled hard but came up short to the visiting Muskies of Lakeland University (2-2, 0-0 NACC) this Tuesday, Nov 18. 

Turnover woes and struggles against the whistle dictated the weekday match up from tip off. Ripon would grind to a slight 3 point lead in the waning minutes of the first half, as forward Kolby Williams (New Orleans, La., Heights HS) led the team with 10 first half points, finishing the game with a team best 64% shooting from the floor, picking up 18 points. Despite the strong play from the forward, an and-1 conversion and another late foul flipped the Red Hawks fortune heading into halftime, as the hosts trailed the visitors 33-35. Nearly 30% of Lakeland's points would come from the charity stripe in the first twenty minutes, a figure which only grew following halftime. 

Despite more efficient shooting from the floor, Ripon fell into a nine point hole in the second half, sending their opponents to the free throw line for 15 points in the final twenty minutes. Although Lakeland would shoot just 34% from the field and 23% from deep, Ripon's 15 turnovers for the game compared to the Muskies' 7 proved crucial as the contest reached its climax. Guard Seth Bunders (Wauzeka, Wis., Wauzeka-Steuben HS) put together a strong showing in the closing half, collecting 20 points across the game to go along with 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal, helping the team claw their way back to a one-possession game in the final three minutes. Despite the late levelling, Lakeland's free throw conversion and ball security proved too much, and the Red Hawks would fall 73-77. 

The Red Hawks return to action this weekend for a tournament hosted by UW-Stevens Point. Ripon will compete first against Millikin University on Nov 21, with the Big Blue entering the contest holding a 4-0 record so far this season. Millikin most recently defeated Illinois College 75-66.