JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - Ripon's women's basketball team won their eighth consecutive game Saturday afternoon, defeating Illinois College 74-49, behind a career-high 22 points from senior Emma McDonald, who made 6-of-7 shots from 3-point range. The Red Hawks shot 50 percent (28-56) as a team and 54 percent (7-13) behind the arc, while holding Illinois College to just 29 percent (12-42) shooting, including 17 percent (4-24) in the second half.

The two teams battled back-and-forth in the early going until Ripon (13-5, 10-1 MWC) scored the final 10 points of the first quarter to take a six-point lead. That was the beginning of a 16-0 run by the Red Hawks, which took control of the game. Ripon would lead by double-digits the rest of the way, as they outscored Illinois College (6-13, 4-6 MWC) by a 25-11 margin in the second quarter, taking a 20-point lead on a McDonald 3-pointer just before halftime.

Ripon led by as many as 30 points in the second half, as they coasted to victory. The Red Hawks outscored IC in the paint 38-8, while also holding a 13-0 edge in second chance points. Ripon's bench also outscored the Lady Blues' reserves 30-10.

With her six 3-pointers, McDonald now has 47 on the season, which is eight shy of Ripon's single season record, while her 145 career 3-pointers rank fourth in school history, just nine shy of the school record. Maggie Oimoen added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Alyssa Burgess added a career-high 10 points, making all five of her shots from the field.

Illinois College was led by Brielle Greenleaf's 15 points. Grace Yaunches added 13 points and two assists.

The win keeps Ripon in sole possession of first place in the MWC standings. They will be in action again in a non-conference game against St. Norbert on Tuesday. That game will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Ripon and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.