January 25, 2008

Box Score

GRINNELL, Iowa – In one of the craziest games of the Midwest Conference season, the Red Hawks ran step-for-step with Grinnell's run-and-gun style offense, but fell just short, losing 117-116 on Friday night. The Pioneers were able to sneak out with a victory despite shooting just 33 percent from the field in the game, including 21 percent in the second half. The Red Hawks meanwhile shot 56 percent in both halves, while also making 50 percent (3-6) of their shots from 3-point range.

Grinnell started the game as hot as they possibly could, making five 3-pointers in the first four minutes to take a 17-8 lead. That lead quickly evaporated though, thanks to nine consecutive points by the Red Hawks, including a

3-pointer by Eric Wright that knotted the game at 17. Grinnell then promptly took a seven point advantage, but Ripon fought back once more, going on a 12-2 run to take a three point lead on a Paul Wise layup with eight and a half minutes left before halftime. Ripon was able to keep things close for the next several minutes, but closed out the half on a 7-1 run over the final minute and a half to take an 11-point lead to the locker room.

The Red Hawks came out on a mission in the second half, scoring the first 12 points in the opening three minutes of the second period, half of which were scored by Wise, who gave Ripon the lead with a layup. After the lead changed hands a few times, Grinnell made another mini-run, nailing three consecutive 3-pointers to take a 79-70 lead with 12 and a half minutes to play. The Pioneers appeared to have the game in hand a couple minutes later, as they took a 13 point lead on a four-point play by Bobby Long. The Red Hawks continued to fight back though, scoring 12 of the next 14 points, capped off by a dunk by Wise that cut the lead to three. After Grinnell took another nine point lead, Ripon used a 13-4 run to tie the game at 103 with three and a half minutes remaining. Scott Gillespie then gave Ripon the lead with a pair of free throws, but Grinnell answered with a couple free throws of their own. After a couple more ties, Grinnell made one of two free throws to take a two point lead with 17 seconds left. Ripon then got two good looks for the lead, but missed both. Luckily, Chris Kellett was there to get the putback, tying the game at 113 with five seconds left. The game was decided in the end at the free throw line, as Grinnell made them when they mattered after missing several clutch free throws earlier in the half.

Ripon had six players score in double figures, led by Wise's 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting. Gillespie added 23 points, to go along with a career-high 10 rebounds. Kellett added 19 points and nine rebounds, while Martin Esters and Shawn Karsten each scored 11 off the bench. The Red Hawks outrebounded Grinnell 54-40, while also outscoring them in the paint 72-10.

The Pioneers got plenty of production from their bench, which produced 64 points, including a game-high 33 from John Grotberg, who shot just 6-for-24 from the field. David Arsenault added 27 points for the Pioneers. The conference leader in assists was held in check for much of the game, recording only five in the game. Long and Mike Schmitt chipped in with 21 and 13 points for the Pioneers.

The Red Hawks will try to get back on the winning track on Saturday, as they'll travel to Lake Forest and try to avenge last weekend's loss to the Foresters. This weekend's game is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. and will be preceded by the women's contest. Both games can be seen on www.midwestconference.tv.