FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Scott Wilson
Director of Athletic Fundraising, Media Relations, Sports Information Feb. 1, 2005
Ripon Men Fall 81-69 As Lawrence Has Big Second Half
RIPON, Wisc. --- It was a tale of two halves Tuesday night as Ripon College dropped an 81-69 decision at Lawrence University in men’s basketball action.
The loss dropped the Red Hawks to 13-5 overall and 7-4 in the Midwest Conference. The Vikings improved to 14-3 on the season and 9-2 in conference play.
Bo Johnson opened the second half of action Tuesday with a jumper to tie the game at 43-43 at the 19:45 mark and that was as close as the Red Hawks would get to the lead the rest of the way. Lawrence University, the 11th ranked team in the nation, went on a 12-2 run to lead 55-45 at the 13:34 mark and increased its margin to as wide as 13 points on two different occasions in the final 20 minutes. The Vikings led 69-56 with 6:00 showing on the clock and again at 77-64 with 1:06 remaining in the game.
Tommy Becker led the Red Hawks with 26 points. He hit 11 of 23 shots from the field and pulled down three rebounds. Bo Johnson added 14 points, while Jered Massen chipped in with 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal.
Kyle MacGillis led Lawrence University with 24 points. Jason Holinbeck and Dan Evans added 14 points each, while Brendan Falls and Chris Braier closed out the night with 12 points each. Braier also pulled down a game high of 14 rebounds.
The Red Hawks must now prepare to stay on the road this weekend. Ripon visits Grinnell College on Friday, Feb. 4, and Monmouth College and Saturday, Feb. 5. Friday’s game will begin at 7 p.m. with Saturday’s contest starting at 4 p.m.
Ripon’s next home game will be Saturday, Feb. 12, when the Red Hawks host Carroll College at 4 p.m. It will also be Take-A-Kid-To-The-Game Day and all children under the age of 12 will get in with free admission.
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