January 18, 2008

Box Score

RIPON, Wis. - The Red Hawks held their own for much of Friday night's game against #21 Lake Forest College, getting to within three points in the second half. In the end though, Lake Forest showed why they are nationally ranked, as they would find the energy to win, 57-45. A big reason for the loss was the battle on the boards, which LFC won, out rebounding Ripon 43-26.

Ripon (4-8, 1-4) put up a fight from the get-go, as they took their first and only lead of the game on a Staci Dieringer 3-pointer four and a half minutes into the game. Jessica DeHamer added to that on Ripon's next possession with a lay up, giving the Red Hawks a 9-6 advantage. One minute later, Lake Forest (11-1, 5-0) grabbed the lead on a jumper by Lisa Nassin. The would eventually extend that to a 10-point lead, but Ripon fought back to cut that in half on a lay up by Jeni Yaeger and three-point play by DeHamer. The Red Hawks went to the locker room trailing by nine, but still feeling good about their chances.

The Red Hawks scored nine of the first 12 points of the second half to cut the Forester lead to three, capped off by another Dieringer 3-pointer with 14 minutes remaining. After a basket by Lake Forest, Dieringer nailed another long-range shot with 10 and a half minutes left, cutting the lead to three once more. That would be as close as it would get the rest of the way however, as Lake Forest scored the next seven points and was able to keep Ripon at arm's length the rest of the way.

Yaeger led the Red Hawks with a team-high 11 points, while DeHamer added nine points and four rebounds. Dieringer also scored nine, all coming via the 3-point shot, where she was 3-for-3. Ripon managed to stay in the game for a long time thanks to their free throw shooting, where they made 80 percent (12-15) of their shots.

Lake Forest was led by Nicole Baich's double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds, while making all three of her field goal attempts. Tracey Rainey led all scorers with 13 points, including a big 3-pointer late in the game as Ripon was trying to mount a comeback. Nassin chipped in with 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Ripon will look to get back in the win column Saturday against Monmouth. That game is set for 1:00 p.m. at Wyman Gymnasium in Storzer Center, and will be followed by the men's contest against the Fighting Scots. Both games can be seen via www.midwestconference.tv.