Box Score

BELOIT, Wis. – The Red Hawks are hoping their recent play to close out the 2007-08 season will spill into next season, when they'll try to get back to the Midwest Conference Tournament. Ripon defeated Beloit College Saturday 84-67, giving them their third win in their last four games, while also building confidence for next year's team. The win marks Ripon's fourth consecutive win over the Buccaneers and their ninth victory in the past ten meetings between the two schools.

Ripon (11-12, 6-10) led from the outset, getting on the board first thanks to a lay-up by Josh Bailen. After two baskets by Paul Wise, the Red Hawks took a 6-0 lead, and things wouldn't get much easier for Beloit (4-19, 2-14), who fell behind by as many as 14 in the first half. With Beloit closing the lead to five points mid-way through the half, Ripon used a 13-4 run in the a three minute span to take that 14 point lead. That run was keyed by a trio of three pointers from Shawn Karsten, Rich Cloeter, and Chris Kellett. The Buccaneers managed to cut that lead to six with under two minutes left before halftime on a basket by Andy Horton, but Ripon scored seven of the next nine points to take an 11-point lead into the locker room.

Beloit's Cody Bysted took matters into his own hands to start the second half, scoring two quick baskets to start the period and cut Ripon's lead to seven points. That would be as close as the game would get the rest of the day. The Red Hawks only allowed one basket in the next seven and a half minutes, as they used a 19-2 run to take a 24-point advantage. Five minutes later, Kellett would give Ripon their largest lead of the game, connecting on his fourth 3-pointer of the day, putting the Red Hawks up by 27 assuring the victory.

Scott Gillespie led the way for the Red Hawks, scoring 22 points, which ties him for 11th on Ripon's single season scoring list, with 487 points on the year. Kellett chipped in with 17 points and eight rebounds against the Buccaneers, while Cloeter posted 11 points and a career-high eight rebounds off the bench. The Red Hawks shot 51 percent (32-63) from the floor, compared to 40 percent (25-63) shooting for Beloit.

Beloit was led by Horton's 19 points and nine rebounds, while Bysted added 18 points and four steals. Derek Lovgren also had a solid outing, scoring 12, while pulling down nine boards. Beloit was ice-cold from behind the
3-point line, making just 15 percent (3-20) of their long-range shots.