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RIPON, Wis. – The Ripon men's basketball team made a furious comeback in the final minute of Wednesday's heated rivalry game against conference-leader Lawrence University, but fell just short, losing 87-83, their third consecutive loss to the Vikings. Rebounding told the story for much of the game, with Lawrence outrebounding the Red Hawks 43-25, including 19 rebounds on the offensive end. Lawrence also doubled up Ripon in second chance points, 18-9.
The game was hotly contested from the outset, with Chris Kellett getting Ripon (9-12, 4-10) on the board first. After the two teams alternated the first six baskets of the game, Lawrence (17-2, 12-1) went on a 10-2 run to take an eight point lead. Kellett quickly knocked that lead to five with a 3-pointer, and after Lawrence took another eight point lead, Shawn Karsten nailed another long-ball to keep Ripon in the game. After Karsten's three, Tyler Fischer and Paul Wise each scored to cut the lead to a single point. The game remained a two-possession game, at the most, the rest of the half, with Lawrence taking a five-point lead into the break, thanks to a three-point play by Ben Rosenblatt with half a minute to play.
The second half was equally heated. Ripon cut the lead to one on a tip-in by Wise with 18 minutes to play. Each time the Red Hawks would get close however, they couldn't get over the hump, as they only led for the first minute of the game. Lawrence's John Dekker gave Lawrence a nine point lead with nine minutes to play on his third
3-pointer in a four-minute span, giving the Vikings some much needed momentum. That momentum quickly changed, thanks to an 11-4 run, which included nine points by Kellett, cutting the lead to 67-65 with five and a half minutes remaining. Lawrence then went on a 12-3 run of their own, capped by a tip-in by Chris Page.
With Lawrence still leading by 11 with 1:06 to play, it looked like all they would have to do is hit free throws for the win. That plan quickly changed in the final minute, thanks to five turnovers and three missed free throws in those final 60 seconds, allowing Ripon right back in the game. Leading by six, Doug Kadison turned the ball over, which allowed Kellett to cut the lead in half on his fourth 3-pointer of the game. Another turnover five seconds later gave Ripon a chance to tie, but their 3-point attempt clanked off the rim, dashing their hopes of a dramatic comeback.
Kellett led Ripon with 24 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Scott Gillespie added 22 points, to go along with five rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. Fischer and Wise each chipped in with eight points. Wise also added four rebounds and three assists.
Lawrence had five players score in double-figures, led by Page's 24 points on 11-of-14 shooting. Dekker added 17 points off the bench, including a 4-of-6 shooting performance from behind the arc. Kadison, Ryan Kroeger, and Andy Hurley each finished with 12 points. Hurley also added 10 rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
The Red Hawks will try to end their home season on a positive note next Wednesday, as they'll host Carroll College in their 2008 home finale. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at Storzer Center. That game will be preceded by the women's contest against the Pioneers. Both games can be seen live on www.midwestconference.tv.
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