Department of Athletics
Ripon College
300 Seward St.
P.O. Box 248
Ripon, Wisc. 54971-0248 Feb. 12, 2005
Becker’s Buzzer-Beater Gives Red Hawks 82-80 Victory
RIPON, WI – Tommy Becker scored on a lay-up with 0:01 showing on the clock Saturday to give Ripon College a hard-fought 82-80 victory over visiting Carroll College. Becker’s heroics capped off a furious second half rally by the Red Hawks to overcome as much as a 15-point margin by the Pioneers.
The victory improved Ripon to 15-6 overall and 9-5 in the Midwest Conference. Carroll College fell to 13-8 on the season and 8-6 in conference play.
Carroll College jumped on top early Saturday and had its way with the Red Hawks throughout most of the first half. The Pioneers cruised to a 44-31 advantage at the intermission. However, Ripon College came back in the final 20 minutes, methodically cutting away at the Pioneers’ advantage. Becker went up for a jumper on Ripon’s final possession, only to have it knocked away. However, he grabbed his own rebound and put up the loose ball to win the game.
Becker strengthened his campaign for MWC Player of the Year honors by posting 24 points against Carroll College. He also had five assists, one blocked shot and three steals. Becker is also closing in on hallowed ground. The talented guard is just 36 points of 1,000 points in his three-year career.
Brian Schmitting and Bo Johnson gave Becker good support. Schmitting had 22 points and five rebounds, while Johnson scored 21 points, pulled down five rebounds and dished out two assists.
Paul Toshner led Carroll College with 21 points. Ben Hickethier scored 20 points and pulled down three rebounds, while Jason Scheper had 14 points and a game high of seven caroms. James Johnson chipped in with 13 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Ripon College, currently ranked 25th in the nation by D3hoops.com, will play its final road game of the season on Wednesday, Feb. 16, at St. Norbert College. The game is set to begin at 8 p.m.
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