Ripon overcomes slow start to down Vikings

APPLETON, Wis. — The Ripon College women’s basketball team overcame a slow start and went on to a 55-34 Midwest Conference win over Lawrence University on Saturday at Alexander Gymnasium.

Kacie Cullien went 4-for-9 from 3-point range and led Ripon (5-7, 5-2 MWC) with 14 points. Jill VanEperen went 2-for-10 from the floor but was a perfect 6-for-6 from the foul line to add 10 points for the Red Hawks.

Alex Deshler led Lawrence (3-8, 1-5) with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Lawrence went on an early 9-0 run, capped by Courtney Schmidt’s 3-pointer, to grab a 9-2 lead with 13:15 left in the opening half.

Ripon then used the long ball to retake the lead. The Red Hawks got three 3-pointers from Cullen and treys from Abby Thelen and Chelsea Moldenhauer to put together a 20-2 run for a 22-11 lead.

Lawrence scored the last four points of the half but trailed 22-15 at the break. Ripon steadily built its advantage in the second half and would lead by as many as 23 points.

Lawrence returns to action on Tuesday when it travels to Lake Forest College.

Box score