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GALESBURG, Ill. - In what was a game reminiscent of two heavyweight fighters slugging it out, Knox College was able to get in the final punch, as they defeated Ripon 96-90 in double overtime on Friday night. The game was a seesaw battle that featured 12 ties and 11 lead changes, with neither team wanting to give in to the other. Knox couldn't have won without their bench, which outscored the Ripon bench 48-14, giving the Prairie Fire the boost they needed.
The Red Hawks (1-2, 0-1) appeared headed for a blowout victory early on, as they scored the first nine points of the game, with all five starters scoring at least once in that early run. Knox (1-3, 1-0) would slowly, but surely chip away at that lead, cutting the lead to one with under eight minutes to play in the half, which is as close as they would get in the period. Ripon pushed their lead back to seven with one minute to play, thanks to a pair of jumpers and a three-point shot by Eric Wright, which marked all seven of his points on the night. After a Knox free throw, Mike King nailed a three-pointer of his own with four seconds left, giving Ripon a nine-point lead at the half.
Ripon would push that lead to 10 with 16 minutes to play, which is when Knox would make their move. The Prairie Fire went on a 20-6 run over the next eight minutes to grab a four point lead. That was quickly followed by a Scott Gillespie three-pointer and Martin Esters free throw, knotting the score at 53. Neither team led by more than three points the rest of the way. With eight seconds remaining, Knox looked like they could take control of the game, but Peter Cain made one of two free throws, giving Knox a two-point lead. Gillespie then took matters into his own hands, as he would miss a jumper, but get his own rebound and get fouled, leading to a pair of free throws that would send the game into overtime.
In the extra period, Knox looked to have the game won once again when Rusty Baker hit a pair of free throws to put Knox up by three with 14 seconds to play. Gillespie responded once more, this time with his third three-pointer of the game. The Prairie Fire still had time to hit a winning shot, but Baker's three-point attempt was blocked by Chris Kellett, sending the game to another extra frame. Knox quickly took a four-point lead in the second overtime, but Ripon managed to tie things up on a three-pointer by Kellett and a free throw by Josh Bailen. Ripon would score just three points the rest of the game however, as Knox hit five of six free throws in the final minute to put the game on ice.
Gillespie put forth a valiant effort, scoring a career-high 32 points, despite posting just four points in the first half. Kellett also stepped up his game, scoring 19 points, while grabbing nine rebounds and also recording four steals and two blocks. Tyler Fischer added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Paul Wise scored 10, while also chipping in with six rebounds and six assists.
Knox was led by Baker's 22 points in 28 minutes off the bench, with 13 of those points coming at the free throw line. Adam Estergard added 16 points, while Moore and Josh Moten scored 15 and 13, respectively. Matt Gorham and Matt Goedeke each finished with 11 points, both coming off the bench. One reason for Knox's success was due to free throws, of which the Prairie Fire shot 44, making 33 of them. Ripon on the other hand got to the line 45 times, but were able to connect on just 27.
The Red Hawks will put this game behind them and focus on their next contest, Saturday at Illinois College. Tip off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in Jacksonville, Ill. and can be seen live on www.midwestconference.tv.
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