APPLETON, Wis. -- Ripon women's basketball earned a statement road win on Tuesday night, defeating Lawrence 68-53 and clinching a spot in the Midwest Conference tournament in the process. The victory kept the Red Hawks perfect in conference play and showcased their depth, balance, and defensive intensity in a full 40-minute performance.
The game opened as a defensive battle, with Ripon holding a slim 13-11 edge after the first quarter. Momentum shifted in the second, as the Red Hawks caught fire offensively and created separation. Ripon shot over 64 percent from the field in the quarter, using ball movement and transition opportunities to build a 37-24 halftime lead. Senior Natalie Rauwolf (Madison, Wis., Madison Memorial HS) and junior Laney Havlovitz (Wild Rose, Wis., Wild Rose HS) provided steady scoring, while the defense forced turnovers that turned into easy points.
Rauwolf finished with a team-high 14 points, knocking down all four of her three-point attempts. Havlovitz added 13 points, four assists, and four rebounds, while sophomore Karsyn Nelson (Cottage Grove, Wis., Monona Grove HS) contributed 12 points and five rebounds on both ends of the floor. Sophomore Halle Van Horn (Fredonia, Wis., Random Lake HS) was active in the paint, pulling down seven rebounds and adding eight points, while senior McKenzie Bestor (La Valle, Wis., Reedsburg Area HS) sparked the Red Hawks off the bench with 10 points and efficient shooting.
Ripon continued to control the game in the second half, extending the lead to as many as 24 points. Defensive pressure remained a constant, as the Red Hawks forced 19 turnovers and converted them into 21 points. The team also dominated inside, scoring 38 points in the paint and winning the rebounding battle.
Freshman Cali Havlovitz (Wild Rose, Wis., Wild Rose HS) filled the stat sheet with seven points and five assists, helping keep the offense flowing, while senior Molly Johannes (Eldorado, Wis., Laconia HS) added key minutes and four points. Ripon's bench contributed 21 points, highlighting the depth that has fueled the team's success throughout the season.
Overall, Ripon shot 47.4 percent from the field and an impressive 87.5 percent from three-point range, a testament to both shot selection and execution. The win improved the Red Hawks to 19-2 overall and 12-0 in Midwest Conference play, officially securing their place in the conference postseason.
Ripon will return home on Saturday, Feb 7, to host Monmouth at 3pm, looking to continue its strong conference run in front of a home crowd.
