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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - For the first time all season, Ripon won their second consecutive game, disposing of Ithaca College (NY) 79-71 in day two of the Land of Magic Classic. The win was due in large part to the Red Hawk defense, which held Ithaca to 36 percent shooting, including 26 percent shooting in the first half.
The game was within single digits for the majority of the first half, until Eric Wright connected on back-to-back baskets, giving the Red Hawks (3-5) a 13 point lead with under two minutes remaining. Ithaca's Sean Burton nailed a 3-pointer with five seconds left in the half to cut that lead to 10 as the two teams headed to the locker room. That basket ended an 8-0 run by the Red Hawks that pushed a five-point lead to double digits.
Ithaca (5-4) wasted no time getting back in the ball game in the second half, cutting Ripon's lead to six just two minutes into the half. After the Red Hawks built up another double-digit lead, Ithaca made their move, going on a 17-7 run to take their first lead of the game since the early minutes of the first half. After Ithaca took a three point lead, Ripon's Chris Kellett tied the game with a basket and a free throw. Rich Cloeter then gave Ripon the lead for good on a four-point play with four and a half minutes remaining.
Kellett led the Red Hawks with team-highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Scott Gillespie added 17 points, three rebounds, and six assists, while Paul Wise scored 16 points, including 12 in the first half. Cloeter was the sparkplug off the bench, scoring a career-high 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Ripon was able to come away with the win, despite being out rebounded 49-31.
Ithaca was led by Leahy's 22 points and nine boards. Louis Kail added 17 points and six rebounds off the bench, while Sean Burton chipped in with 13 points and six assists. Ithaca struggled to shoot the ball much of the game, making just 19 percent of their 3-point attempts.
Ripon will now return to Wisconsin, as they'll face Rockford College on Saturday, January 5th in their first game of the new year. That game will begin at 3:00 p.m. at Storzer Center.
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