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RIPON, Wis. – Ripon's struggles continued Friday night, as they dropped their fifth straight Midwest Conference game to start the season, losing to Lake Forest 73-66. The Red Hawks were outrebounded 40-29, which helped contribute to their loss, along with their 20 percent (4-20) shooting from 3-point range.
The Red Hawks fell behind early, as Lake Forest built an 11-3 lead six minutes into the game. Ripon then scored 10 of the next 11 points to get back into the game and take a one-point lead. The game was tight after that point for the majority of the game, including four ties and 11 lead changes in the first half. The largest lead the rest of the half was three points by Lake Forest. After Hoyt Rees gave them that lead, Chris Kellett and Tyler Fischer took it back for the Red Hawks. Kellett's 3-pointer tied the game at 32 and Fischer's free throws put them up two. Just as it looked like Lake Forest would take a lead to halftime after a three-point play by Victor Campbell, Ripon's Eric Wright took the ball the length of the court in five seconds for a layup at the buzzer, giving the Red Hawks a one-point lead at intermission.
The second half was more of the same, with four more ties and nine more lead changes. Ripon finally looked to gain control with 15 minutes remaining, as Scott Gillespie's layup gave them their largest lead of the game, 50-44. Lake Forest then promptly scored 10 unanswered points to take a four-point advantage of their own. After Gillespie tied the game at 56, Lake Forest took another lead, only to be tied again on a jumper by Chris Kellett. With the game knotted at 62 with three minutes to play, Lake Forest's Jeremy Beyersdorf nailed a crucial 3-pointer to give the Foresters the final lead of the game, which they would hold onto, thanks to some clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch.
Ripon was led by Gillespie's 18 points, seven rebounds, and four steals. Kellett added 15 points, six rebounds, and four steals of his own, while also nailing three 3-pointers, all of which came at critical times in the game. Rich Cloeter also chipped in, scoring 10 points, while added three rebounds.
Victor Campbell filled up the nets all night for the Foresters, scoring a game-high 29 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Laird Walker also contributed 14 points and nine rebounds, while Beyersdorf scored 10, while also recording three steals. Lake Forest shot 46 percent (24-52) from the field, including 55 percent in the first half.
Ripon will try for their first conference victory on Saturday, as they'll host Monmouth College. The tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m. and will be preceded by the women's contest. Both games may be seen on www.midwestconference.tv.
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