MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Ripon College men's basketball team defeated NCAA Division-II Northern Michigan University 80-75 Saturday afternoon in what counted as an exhibition game for the Red Hawks. Ripon shot 55 percent (27-49) from the field, including 58 percent (11-19) from 3- point range, while holding Northern Michigan to 43 percent (31-72) shooting and 33 percent (10-30) from long-range.

Neither team led by more than five points in the first half, which saw a Trent Jones free throw send them into the locker room with a 35-34 lead at intermission.

Ripon didn't trail in the second half until the nine and a half minute mark when Noah Parcher connected on a Northern Michigan 3-pointer. NMU extended that lead to four, but Ripon rallied to grab a 63-61 lead thanks to a Seth Kostroski 3-pointer, which would put them in front for good. NMU stayed within four in the final minute, but Ripon converted 79 percent (15-19) of their free throws to seal the win.

All five Ripon starters scored at least six points, with all nine Red Hawks that entered the game scoring at least three points. Kostroski led the way with 16 points on four 3-pointers. Ryan Steffes added 15 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Jones chipped in with 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Northern Michigan (4-7) was led by 15 points off the bench from both Sam Taylor and Dolapo Olayinka, who added 10 rebounds for a double-double. Myles Howard also double-doubled for NMU, scoring 11 points, while pulling down a game-high 12 boards.

Ripon will resume their regular season schedule on January 3 when they'll get back into conference play at Knox College. That game will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Galesburg, Ill., and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.