GALESBURG, Ill. – The Red Hawks kept pace with Grinnell College atop the Midwest Conference standings with a 76-66 win at Knox College Saturday afternoon. Ripon dominated the post, outscoring the Prairie Fire 40-16 in the paint.

Knox got on the board first on a Jason Maclin three-pointer just 30 seconds into the game. Ripon answered right back though with 12 consecutive points. The Red Hawks would hod the lead the rest of the day, never really receiving a threat from the Prairie Fire. Knox got as close as four points the rest of the way, before Ripon opened a double-digit lead towards the end of the first half. The Red Hawks ended the half on a 10-2 run.

The Red Hawks held the Prairie Fire at bay for the majority of the second half, only allowing them to pull within nine points in the period. Ripon used their 65 percent shooting in the second half to hold onto the victory. Ripon dominated Knox in pretty much every phase of the game, outrebounding them 39-25.

Ripon was once again led by Brian Schmitting, who finished with 26 points and 15 rebounds, while shooting
12-for-16 from the field. Bo Johnson added 19 points, while Chris Kellett added 13. David McMullen contributed with 10 points and nine assists.

Maclin led the Prairie Fire with 18 points, making him the only Knox starter to score in double figures. Knox's bench stepped up big, scoring 30 of their 66 points. Adam Estergard scored 15, while Jeff Wozencraft finished with 13 points.

The Red Hawks will aim for their sixth consecutive win on Wednesday, when they'll take on Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis. Gametime is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be preceded by the women's contest agaijnst the Vikings.