Ripon tops Vikings in overtime

APPLETON, Wis. — Ty Sabin scored 34 points and the Ripon College men’s basketball team enjoyed a huge advantage at the foul line as the Red Hawks downed Lawrence University 89-79 in overtime Saturday in a Midwest Conference game at Alexander Gymnasium.

Sabin hit 9-of-18 shots from the floor and went 13-for-14 from the foul line to pace Ripon (3-1, 2-0 MWC). Kyle Loughrin had a double-double for Ripon with 21 points and 12 rebounds.

Jamie Nikitas recorded his third consecutive double-double to start the season with 28 points and 11 rebounds for the Vikings (2-1, 0-1). Trace Sonnleitner scored a career-high 23 points for the Vikings and added six rebounds.

Ripon won the game at the foul line where the Red Hawks connected on 29-of-39. Lawrence was just 9-of-15 from the line, and the Vikings were whistled for 30 fouls, compared to 15 for Ripon.

Ripon took charge in the overtime by scoring the first nine points of the extra period, highlighted by Loughrin’s three-point play, to lead 83-74 with 2:09 left. Lawrence cut the margin to as close as five points at 84-79 on a pair of Nikitas free throws with 50 ticks left.

Ripon then connected on 5-of-6 shots from the foul line to seal the win.

Lawrence had built a 12-point edge at 50-38 with 13:56 left in the second half before Ripon rallied. The Red Hawks scored nine consecutive points before Nikitas’ 3-pointer with 9:57 left gave Lawrence a 53-47 lead.

Ripon kept the pressure on and went on a 17-4 run to take a 64-57 lead with 4:29 left. Ryan DePouw quickly scored the next four points, Sonnleitner hit a 3-pointer and Nikitas got a driving layup to tie the game at 66-66 with 2:51 left.

Ripon built the lead back to 72-67 with 48 seconds remaining in regulation before Sonnleiter drilled another 3-pointer. After a pair of free throws from Sabin, Nikitas answered with a layup to cut the lead to 74-72. The Red Hawks turned it over, and Nikitas drove uncontested to the basket for another layup and tied it at 74-74 with eight seconds left.

Sabin missed a jumper with two seconds left that would have won it in regulation.

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