RIPON, Wis. - In a game that featured seven ties and 11 lead changes, Beloit held their own for the first 30 minutes against defending Midwest Conference champion Ripon College, before the Red Hawks pulled away with a scoring run in the final 10 minutes to win by a score of 72-54. Beloit shot 36 percent (21-59) on the night, including 35 percent (7-20) from 3-point range, while Ripon made 45 percent (29-64) of their shots, including just 26 percent (8-31) from 3-point range.

Ripon (4-4, 1-1 MWC) got out to an early 11-4 lead, despite not shooting the ball well, making only 3-of-18 (17 percent) from 3-point range in the first half. Beloit (4-5, 1-2 MWC) took full advantage, converting 4-of-10 (40 percent) from behind the arc in the opening period. A pair of Quinten Lottig 3-pointers got Beloit back in the game, tying the score at 15 midway through the half. Two minutes later, a Brian Rusch 3-pointer gave Beloit a five-point lead. The Buccaneers would later lead by six, but would see that lead evaporate just before halftime when Dominic Galati connected on a 3-pointer in the final seconds to give Ripon a 34-32 halftime lead.

The second half saw Rusch give Beloit the lead on another 3-pointer in the opening minutes. After Ryan Steffes answered with a 3-pointer of his own to give Ripon the lead, Beloit grabbed the lead once more on a jumper from Michael Myles. Ripon then tied the score at 40 on the ensuing possession on a layup by David DeValk, which was followed by a William Ryan 3-pointer to give Ripon the lead for good. Beloit still trailed by just two points with 12 minutes remaining, before Ripon scored 10 consecutive points and ended the game on a 27-11 run to secure the victory.

Rusch led all scorers with 13 points, to go along with six rebounds, while Azeez Ganiyu finished with 12 points and five rebounds. Clayton Jenny added seven points on 3-of-6 shooting, which included a 3-pointer.

Ripon was led by Jaylen Mahone's 13 points and nine rebounds, while DeValk scored 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting. Galati and Owen Theune each added 10 points.

Beloit will try to rebound Saturday at Cornell College. That game will begin at 3 p.m. in Mount Vernon, Iowa.