GALESBURG, Ill. - Ripon's women's basketball team defeated Knox 72-58 Saturday afternoon to extend their winning streak to nine games, which is four shy of the program's longest such streak. The win, which served as the Ripon's final tune-up for next weekend's Midwest Conference Tournament, was the Red Hawks' 17th victory of the season, which is tied for seventh in program history. It also marked their 15th conference win of the season, which is the most the program has experienced in 13 years.

The game was a back-and-forth battle for the first several minutes before Ripon took the lead for good on a Mikayla Hartman jumper with just under four minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Red Hawks extended that lead to seven at the end of the period, which they ended on a 10-2 run. Ripon took a 10-point advantage on a jumper by Maggie Oimoen mid-way through the second quarter, but Knox closed that lead to two at halftime thanks to a 10-2 run to end the half.

Ripon put the game away in the third quarter, outscoring Knox 30-14. Leading by just six points with four minutes left in that period, Ripon ended the quarter on a 16-4 run to take an 18-point lead into the final period, as they would lead by double digits the rest of the way.

Ripon shot 40 percent (27-68) in the game, including 46 percent (15-33) during the second half. Maggie Oimoen led the Red Hawks with 20 points and seven rebounds (four offensive), to go along with three blocked shots. That gives Oimoen 37 blocks this season, which is just two shy of the school's single season record, which was set last season by teammate Jonalee Elliott. Emma McDonald added 18 points, which is one shy of her career-high and included four 3-pointers, to go along with seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Eleanore Muller recorded 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Knox shot 32 percent (17-53) in the game. They were led by Karlie Thorn's 10 points, while Jarrelyn McCall recorded nine points and six rebounds. Morgan Potter added eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds (four offensive), while blocking three shots.

Ripon will now prepare for their MWC Tournament semifinal game Friday against St. Norbert. That game will begin at 7 p.m. in Mount Vernon, Iowa and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.