Concordia 65 Ripon 61
Mequon-
Ripon College came into Mequon last evening with a 2-0 record and a reputation for Midwest basketball excellence. The Red Hawks returned 3 starters from a 2004 team that finished 20-7. The visitors left with a newfound appreciation for Stacey Brunner's young CUW squad -as the young Falcons (2-1) pulled off a thrilling 65-61 upset win.
Concordia, pounding the ball inside, led 26-13 midway thru the first half before the Red Hawk press forced Concordia into five consecutive turnovers, eventually cutting the Ripon halftime deficit to a single point, 31-30. Rather than wilt, however, CUW administered upscale pressure of their own after the break and maintained slim cushions of three to seven points until a Red Hawk 3 pointer cut the deficit to 2 with five seconds remaining in the contest. Falcon co-captain Stephanie Young was fouled with 3.1 remaining and calmly swished a pair of charity tosses to sew up the improbable victory.
Freshman Krista Mayyou scored 27 points and added 9 rebounds to lead the Falcons. The 5' 10 forward was 10-16 from the floor and 7-8 from the line during a dominating performance. Mayyou got lots of help from a supporting cast that scrambled all over the court from start to finish. Forward Kristen Ruppe had 10 points and an equal number of rebounds. Guards Angie Davis and Erika Ensign each hit a pair of critical 3 pointers. Freshman guard Erin Meier scored 8 points including a brace of lean-in bank shots in the closing minutes to restore 4 point cushions. Junior Naomi Wendorf was a catalyst off the bench as she hustled for 4 important rebounds and Young was the woman of the moment with her ice vein free throws. JoEllen Buerger, Anne Ackerman, and Karalyn Dehn each scored 15 points for Ripon. The Falcons are off until Wednesday, Nov. 30th when they host perenially powerful Cardinal Stritch.