The Cowboys jumped out to a 10-2 lead and led by as many as 15 at 39-24. Trent martin had a three-trip stretch in the first half when he hit a pair of 3-pointers and had a conventional 3-point play for nine straight points. He had 17 in the first half as the Cowboys led 48-37 at the break.
Ripon chipped away at the Cowboys and took their first lead of the game at the 6:16 mark when Vehantre Brown hit his fifth and sixth straight free throws in a two-minute stretch to give the Redhawks the lead at 67-65.
Ripon pulled away down the stretch as the Cowboys went cold from the field in the second half. HSU shot 68 percent in the first half and only 23.5 percent in the second period. HSU made only three field goals in the last 13:12 of the game. Ripon closed the came on a 33-11 run over the final 15:44 of the game.
Martin led the Cowboys with 21 points. Mardochee Jean had 14 points, eight rebounds and five blocks. Ripon was led by Brian Schmitting, who had 20 points and 13 rebounds. Paul Wise added 15 points.
HSU (4-5) will play defending national champion Virginia Wesleyan at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
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