Lengthy Winning Streak Against MWC Ends

From Sports Information Director, January 18, 2017 | Men's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

RIPON - St. Norbert College's 72-game winning streak against Midwest Conference opponents came to an end in an 81-55 loss to Ripon College at Storzer Center.

The Green Knights (11-3, 8-1 MWC), ranked No. 7 in the D3hoops.com Top 25, lost for the first time to a league foe since a 104-99 overtime loss at Grinnell College on Feb. 9, 2013. The win by Ripon (12-2, 8-1) puts it in a tie with St. Norbert atop the MWC standings midway through the league schedule.

St. Norbert found itself in trouble early and never recovered. The Green Knights committed turnovers on four of their first five possessions as Ripon built an 8-0 lead. St. Norbert got to within 8-4, 13-8 and 18-12 later in the half but wouldn't get closer.

The Green Knights trailed 22-14 with 6:43 left in the first half following a Tim Marshall basket but the Red Hawks would close the half on a 12-4 run to lead 34-18 at the break.

St. Norbert got as close as 36-22 early in the second half before a 7-0 Ripon run effectively decided the outcome.

The Green Knights shot 35.1 percent (20-for-57) from the floor, including 7-for-24 (29.2 percent) in the first half. Ben Bobinski led the Green Knights with 14 points, while D.J. DeValk added 13 points and Marshall 10.

Ripon shot a blistering 55.2 percent (32-for-58) from the floor. The Red Hawks' Ty Sabin led the way with 33 points and nine rebounds, while Brendan McCoy added 14 points and Isaac Masters 10 points.