RIPON, Wis. – When two teams play a heated rivalry game, as Ripon and Lawrence did Saturday afternoon, all the records and stats can be thrown out the window. In addition to playing for first place in the Midwest Conference, the Red Hawks and Vikings were also playing for pride and bragging rights. Ripon now has those rights, as they came away victorious 60-56 in what was the most intense game of the season.

Both teams started the game a little tight, with neither team scoring until Paul Wise put the Red Hawks (6-4, 4-0) up 3-0 on a three-point play, nearly three minutes into the contest. That seemed to calm Ripon's nerves a bit, but the Vikings still seemed to be pressing a bit, as they missed six of their first seven shots. That allowed the Red Hawks to get out to an early 15-2 lead thanks to making seven of eight shots, beginning with Wise's bucket. Lawrence gradually climbed back into the game, getting as close as six points with just over six minutes left in the first half on a three-pointer by Erik Megow. That would be Lawrence's last points of the half though, allowing Ripon to finish the half on an 8-0 run. The Vikings (6-4, 2-1) shot just 33 percent in the half.

The two teams traded baskets for the first ten minutes of the second half, with Ripon gaining their largest advantage of 17 points on a three-point play by Chris Kellett. The Vikings then preceded to go on a 10-0 run, capped by a layup by Matt Osland. Ben Rosenblatt would then cut that lead to three points with three and a half minutes to play. After trading baskets the next couple minutes, it appeared as if Ripon had the game in hand, leading by eight with 47 seconds remaining. Lawrence made things interesting at the end, capitalizing on a turnover and a three-pointer by Rosenblatt to cut the lead to two with 14 seconds left to play. The Vikings then fouled Wise, who calmly sank two free throws to ice the game for the Red Hawks.

Wise finished with 16 points, 11 of which came in the first 15 minutes of the game. Brian Schmitting also scored in double figures with 13 points, to go along with six rebounds and three steals. David McMullen chipped in with eight points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals.

The Vikings were led by three players in double figures. Rosenblatt scored a team-high 14 points, while Andy Hurley and Ryan Kroeger finished with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Lawrence shot 68 percent from the field in the second half, but couldn't overcome their poor shooting in the first period.

The Red Hawks now have about a week to rest after an emotionaly draining game. Ripon will be back in action Friday, January 12, when they'll travel to Lake Forest to play the Foresters. Tipoff is set for 7:30 and will be preceded by the women's contest.