RIPON, Wis. -- Ripon College women's basketball (5-2, 0-0 MWC) dropped their rescheduled game against Carroll University (5-2, 0-0 CCIW) this Sunday, Nov 30. Guard Laney Havlovitz (Wild Rose, Wis., Wild Rose HS) lead the Red Hawks in scoring with 21, her third consecutive game with more than 20 points. 

The Red Hawks faced a hot hand from their #24 / (RV) ranked opponent, turning the match up into a battle of offensive efficiency. The Pios missed just three shots from the field in the first quarter, shooting 75% from the floor and 60% from three across the opening ten minutes of action. Holding on despite Carroll's shooting, Ripon left the first down 7, battling back with renewed defensive intensity and stronger offensive execution to enter halftime down just 1 point.

Ripon's 24-point second quarter would be their strongest of the game, but the Pios had answers in the second half. After Ripon took an early lead in the third behind a layup from forward Sophie Schlieve (Antigo, Wis., Antigo HS), Carroll answered with 64% shooting as a team, taking back a six point lead as the game entered its final quarter. 

While Carroll maintained their strong shooting numbers, Ripon's fourth quarter saw a regression in three point shooting, as the visitors went 0-5 from deep. The difficulty in the outside shots proved a crucial difference maker for the teams, despite the slight advantage held by Ripon in turnovers (19-21) and rebounds (37-34). No late game push proved feasible against such efficient offensive marks from the hosts, and contest came to an end in a 74-86 Ripon defeat. 

The Red Hawks return to action this Tuesday, Dec 2, on the road for their conference opener against Beloit. The Buccaneers enter the game 3-4 this season and 1-0 in MWC play, coming off a 62-50 win over IIT.