Women’s basketball falls to MWC rivals Ripon, Beloit

Ted Greeley

The Lawrence University Women’s basketball team fell twice this past week to rivals Ripon and Beloit, on Wednesday and Saturday respectively.
At Ripon on Wednesday, the women ended up losing to the Red Hawks. The Vikes tied the score only once with 17:23 left in the first half. Ripon’s subsequent 10-1 run built up a lead that the Vikings were unable to overcome. The team leveled the game to within 3 in the first half, but a 15-4 Ripon run gave the Red Hawks a 16-point lead. Lawrence rallied near the end of the half to bring the game to 35-29 at halftime.
In the second half, the Vikes shot below 30 percent from the field, making it difficult to keep up with the Red Hawks who shot over 45 percent. Small runs by the Red Hawks slowly built up a big lead against the Vikes. The Vikings fell to the Red Hawks 66-51.
Sophomore Caresse Reiland led the Vikes with 24 points for the night and freshman Annie Kaiser helped the effort with seven points. Reiland and sophomore Laura Aerts led the Vikings with five rebounds each.
On Saturday night the Vikings took on Beloit at home. The beginning of the game went back and forth with the Vikings taking the lead at 14:10 of the first half on a three-pointer by Aerts. The Vikes lost the lead several minutes later only to regain it with 5:52 left in the half on a three-pointer by senior captain Jenny Stoner. A 9-3 Beloit run put the Buccaneers ahead 30-28 at halftime.
A 22-6 run for the Buccaneers in the second half put the Vikings down 52-34. The large lead put the Vikings down for good. The rest of the game went back and forth with the Vikings unable to make up any ground. The Vikings ultimately fell 77-56.
Reiland led the Vikings with 17 points and nine rebounds, Aerts and senior captain Carrie Van Groll added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Stoner led the Vikes with seven assists.