Box Score Heading into tip off, the Fighting Scots and the Red Hawks found themselves tied for fourth place in the Midwest Conference standings at 6-3. Excellent shooting from deep and a large run midway through the second half helped Ripon take an 86-72 win over the Scots to claim sole possession of third in the league after Lake Forest slipped to fourth following a Saturday loss to Grinnell.
 
The Scots opened the game with a lead that grew for most the first half as Will Jones' bucket with 7:53 left in the half gave Monmouth their largest lead of the day at nine, 23-14. Led in the first half by senior Andrew Mathison, who posted 8 points and 5 boards, the Fighting Scots thrived in the paint. Pitching in on the effort in the paint was senior Matt Juhola who got to the rim for 6 points.
 
In an effort to beat Ripon's 2-3 zone down the floor, the Fighting Scots pushed in transition. Jon Calhoun and Jones charged the Scots ahead but combined for just 7 points and four assists as the Fighting Scots trailed 36-30 at halftime.
 
Early on in the second half, the game looked as though it would mirror the first period until Ripon's Ty Ketz got free from deep. Hitting 4-of-6 from 3-point range, including threes on three straight possessions, Ketz provided the Red Hawks with a spark that they maintained for the rest of the game.
 
Riley Blea's late effort pitched in 13 points on just 10 minutes of action (5-of-6 FG, 2-of-3 from three).
 
The Scots will have the working week off before heading back up north for the third weekend in a row for Round 2 of the Monmouth (9-5, 6-4) vs. St. Norbert (12-2, 9-0) series.