Ripon rallies to top Vikings

RIPON, Wis. — The Ripon College men’s basketball team outscored Lawrence University 16-6 down the stretch to rally for a 68-65 Midwest Conference victory over the Vikings on Wednesday at the Storzer Center.

Taylor Koth scored 27 points to pace Ripon (2-2, 1-0 MWC).

Davis DeWolfe and Tyler Mazur added 12 points apiece to lead the Vikings (2-2, 1-1 MWC). DeWolfe also added a game-high nine rebounds.

Lawrence trailed by three midway through the second half when the Vikings went on a 10-0 run. Mazur started the outburst with a 3-pointer, and Jamie Nikitas scored the next five points with a layup and a 3-pointer. DeWolfe finished the run with a jumper to put the Vikings up 59-52 with 6:47 left.

Ripon countered by scoring the game’s next six points and the teams traded the lead after that.

Ripon led 62-61 when DeWolfe connected on a jumper and Chris Siebert followed with a pair of free throws to put Lawrence up 65-62 with 1:52 left.

Andy Popp hit a 3-pointer for Ripon to tie the game, and the Vikings turned the ball over with 45 seconds left. Koth went to the basket and was fouled with 19 seconds left. He hit one free throw to give Ripon a 66-65 lead.

Siebert got off a shot in the final seconds for Lawrence, but his contested jumper was off the mark. Koth grabbed the rebound and converted two free throws in the final seconds to seal the win.

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