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WHEATON, Ill. - The Red Hawks tried their hardest to avenge last season's home loss to the Wheaton Tuesday night, but to no avail, as Ripon fell in defeat 63-52 in a game that the Thunder led from the outset. Wheaton's bench was the big story, outscoring Ripon's reserves 36-9.
After both teams went scoreless for the first couple minutes, Wheaton (4-1) opened the scoring on a three-pointer by Whitney Edgecombe. Ripon's Jeni Yaeger would score on the ensuing possession cutting Wheaton's lead to one, which would be as close as the Red Hawks (2-3) would get the rest of the way. Ripon managed to keep things close for the majority of the first half, staying within single digits until the four minute mark, when Wheaton took an 11 point advantage, which would also be the lead at halftime. The Red Hawks shot 42 percent in the first half, but turned the ball over 15 times, which led to 17 Wheaton points.
Yaeger cut the Thunder lead to seven points on a jumper with just under 17 minutes to play in the game. That was quickly followed by seven consecutive Wheaton points, doubling their lead to 14 with 16 minutes to play. The Red Hawks then battled back yet again, going on a 10-2 run to cut the lead to six. After Wheaton got the lead to double digits once again, Ripon's Carissa Zuercher nailed two consecutive three-pointers to bring the Red Hawks to within five. That would be as close as they would get the rest of the way, as they would make just two of their final 14 shots after that point.
Ripon was led by Jessica DeHamer, who posted team-highs of 17 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Yaeger added 16 points on five-of-seven shooting, to go along with four rebounds. Zuercher finished the game with six points and four assists. Ripon turned the ball over 30 times in the game, while forcing 24 miscues.
The Thunder's top two scorers came off the bench, as Lissie McAlvey and Carissa Bacon recorded 18 and 12 points, respectively, while combining to shoot 13-for-17 from the field. Kathleen Fidelia chipped in with nine points, five rebounds, and seven assists. Whitney Edgecombe also poured in nine points for the Thunder.
The Red Hawks will try to put this loss behind them, as they will now focus on conference play, which opens on Friday at Knox College. Game time is set for 5:00 p.m. and will be followed by the men's contest against the Prairie Fire.
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