MOUNT VERNON, Iowa - What a difference a month makes. Forty-two days after losing to Cornell at home, Ripon defeated that same team 73-62, snapping an eight-game losing streak against the Rams, who have won the Midwest Conference regular season title twice in the last five years, including last season. The win makes the Red Hawks the only team in the MWC with less than two losses, as they currently sit atop the conference standings.

Ripon (9-5, 7-1 MWC) controlled the game for much of the day, as they held the lead for all but the first two minutes of the opening quarter. The Red Hawks shot 50 percent (6-12) in the first quarter to take a 17-14 lead, led by six points in the period from Emma McDonald. After Cornell (8-6, 5-2 MWC) cut the lead to one on their opening possession of the second quarter, Ripon went on a 9-0 run to take their first double-digit lead of the contest. They would lead 40-28 at the half.

The second half saw Ripon score the first nine points, thanks to a 3-pointer by Natalie Geiger, and a pair of treys from McDonald to put the Red Hawks up by 21 points mid-way through the third quarter. Ripon entered the fourth and final period leading by 18 points, but Cornell went on a 25-13 run to cut that lead to six with just under one minute remaining. The Red Hawks were able to hold off the Rams in the final seconds in part by making four free throws in the final 25 seconds.

Junior Maggie Oimoen led Ripon with 19 points and 11 rebounds (five offensive) for her second double-double in as many days, giving her nine for her career. McDonald also finished with 19 points, making 6-of-10 shots, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range. McDonald has now made at least one 3-pointer in 16 consecutive games, dating back to last season. Caitie Carpenter added a career-high seven points off the bench, making both of her shots from the field and all three of her free throws. The Red Hawks shot 46 percent (24-52) from the field, 50 percent (5-10) from 3-point range, and 83 percent (20-24) from the free throw line.

Cornell was led by 25 points, which included five 3-pointers, from Haley Grana. Diamond Boyd added seven points, 15 rebounds (eight offensive), three assists, and three steals. The Rams finished the game shooting 31 percent (18-58) from the field, 33 percent (8-24) from 3-point range, and 62 percent (18-29) from the charity stripe.

Ripon will be in action again Wednesday at home in a non-conference match-up with Finlandia. That game will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Weiske Gymnasium in Ripon, Wis., and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.