RIPON, Wis. - Ripon's men's basketball team defeated Wisconsin Lutheran 85-69 Saturday afternoon, as the Red Hawks erased a two-point halftime deficit with 55 second half points. The Red Hawks shot well in the first half, making 50 percent (11-22) of their shots, but turned it up several notches after halftime, converting 64 percent (18-28) of their shots in the second half, including 63 percent (10-16) from 3-point range. They finished the contest making 12 shots from 3-point range, which is tied for eighth in program history for a single game.

Wisconsin Lutheran (2-2) never trailed in the first half, scoring the game's first points on a layup by Collin Kennedy, and getting out to a 13-11 lead, before using a 10-2 lead to take a 10-point lead with nine minutes left in the period. Ripon (2-1) then closed the gap with six consecutive points, including a pair of baskets by Cal Schultz, but WLC would keep the Red Hawks at arm's length for the entire period. Ripon pulled to within a single point on a pair of free throws by Schultz with less than two minutes, but they'd go into halftime trailing 32-30.

Ripon wasted no time getting things going in the second half, as Schultz connected on a 3-pointer on the opening possession to give the Red Hawks their first lead of the game. WLC would tie the game at 35 a couple possessions later, but Ripon answered with a Tyson Tullylayup to give them the lead for good. The Red Hawks stayed in front by some timely 3-point shooting, thanks in large part to Schultz and Trent Jones, who combined to make 7-of-9 from 3-point range after halftime.

Schultz led Ripon with a career-high 31 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range, to go along with six rebounds and two steals. Trent Jones also recorded a career-high with 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range, while adding four rebounds and three assists. Freshman Tyson Tully also recorded career-highs of nine points and four assists.

Wisconsin Lutheran was led by Kennedy's 21 points and six rebounds, while Andrew Bruggink scored 18 points, to go along with two rebounds. Caleb Goldstein added 11 points and four assists for the Warriors.

Ripon will now get ready for conference play, as they'll host Knox College on Friday. That game will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Weiske Gymnasium in Ripon, and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.