(ST. NORBERT COMMUNICATIONS) DE PERE – St. Norbert College used a strong start and steady finish to close out Ripon College in a convincing 78-72 win in a non-conference matchup at Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center.
The Green Knights (1-2) came out with energy in the opening quarter, building a 13-7 lead with early scoring from Olivia Conway and Avery Bierowski. St. Norbert continued to push the tempo, putting up 26 points in the first quarter. The Red Hawks started the scoring in the second quarter with two quick layups, but the Green Knights responded with a block turned layup for Reese Sellers (pictured) followed by two free throws for Taylor Thiry. St. Norbert’s lead stretched to 17 with six minutes left in the first half with a layup from Thiry, and that momentum was carried into the break with a 37-25 halftime score.
Ripon put up a strong third quarter, battling to get within two points at 44-42 after a fast break led to a three-point play with just over two minutes left in the period. Sellers answered with a 3-pointer to steady the momentum, and St. Norbert held off the Red Hawks for the rest of the quarter, heading into the fourth with a six-point cushion.
The Green Knights rebuilt momentum to start the fourth, chipping away early before expanding the lead to 15 midway through the quarter on Sellers’ fourth 3 of the half. Ripon made a final push, trimming the deficit to just four points with nine seconds left, but late free throws from Rose Hahn and Thiry helped seal the victory.
St. Norbert was 27-for-53 (50.9 percent) from the floor. Thiry led the way with 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Sellers finished with 23 points on 90 percent shooting, including five 3-pointers. Olivia Conway added eight points.
Ripon went 28-for-70 (40.0 percent) from the floor. Laney Havlovitz led the team with 26 points, while Halle Van Horn added 22 points and 12 rebounds.
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