RIPON, Wis. – The Beloit College Buccaneers ended the 2026 season this afternoon at Weiske Gymnasium. Despite leading for over 24 minutes of the game, the Buccaneers (5-20, 0-16 MWC) ultimately fell to Ripon, 65-58, in a hard-fought conference matchup.
The Buccaneers were powered by a standout performance from Anthony Carter (Greenfield, Wis.), who proved to be the most dominant force on the floor. Carter logged nearly the entire game (over 37 minutes), racking up a double-double with a team-high 19 points and 11 rebounds. His ability to attack the glass and create scoring opportunities kept Beloit in the driver's seat for much of the afternoon.
Supporting Carter was Austin Walker (Princeville, Ill.), who contributed 10 points and 4 rebounds, and Dae'Quan Davis (Chicago, Ill.), who added 8 points and 6 boards. The Buccaneers' bench also provided a spark, outscoring Ripon's reserves 12-11, led by 5 points apiece from Lathan Lewis (Rockford, Ill.) and Zayn Young (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Beloit entered the arena with high energy, immediately dictating the pace. The Buccaneers orchestrated a masterful start, surging to a 15-6 lead by the 14:35 mark of the first half—their largest lead of the game. During this stretch, the Beloit defense stifled the Redhawks (5-20,5-11 MWC), and the offense clicked with efficient ball movement.
While Ripon managed to claw back, the Buccaneers refused to surrender the lead before the break. Thanks to a 42.4% shooting effort from the field in the first half, Beloit headed into the locker room with a 34-32 advantage.
The second half was a back-and-forth battle of wills. Ripon managed to find their rhythm, but every time the Red Hawks threatened to pull away, Beloit answered.
The most critical momentum shift occurred midway through the second half. After Ripon took a slim lead, the Buccaneers fought back to tie the game at 46-46 following a Marshawn Robinson three-pointer for Ripon, answered by a series of gritty Beloit possessions. Moments later, at the 8:22 mark, Beloit again leveled the score at 49-49 after a clutch jump shot by Austin Walker.
However, the final six minutes proved difficult for the Buccaneers. While Beloit held the lead for a total of 24:33 compared to Ripon's 12:15, the Red Hawks utilized a late 9-0 run to take a 61-52 lead with just over two minutes remaining.
The Buccaneers excelled in several "hustle" categories, mirroring their aggressive style of play. Beloit matched Ripon with 26 points in the paint and dominated the fast-break category, outscoring the Red Hawks 7-5. The Bucs also remained disciplined on the boards, hauling down 34 total rebounds.
The difference-maker came at the free-throw line and from beyond the arc, where Ripon managed to find just enough efficiency to stave off the Beloit comeback in the closing seconds.
