JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College men's basketball team had it's 20-game home winning streak snapped, dropping a 77-75 decision to Ripon on Saturday at Sherman Gymnasium.
The loss dropped the Blueboys to 13-2 overall and 5-1 in the Midwest Conference. The Red Hawks improved to 3-11 and 1-4. IC had won 20 straight games at Sherman Gymnasium, the last loss coming at the hands of Millikin on November 12, 2022.
IC got a game-high 26 points from
Buzz Ritzel who went 10-for-11 from the free throw line.
Jake Mazrimas, who became just the third player in school history to score 1,500 career points, added 15 to go with his nine rebounds.
Nestor Daboin also had 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
The game was tightly contested throughout. The Blueboys enjoyed the biggest lead of the first half at 37-30 with 4:02 to play before Ripon went on a 10-0 run to tie the game. The Red Hawks were able to claw to a 41-39 advantage at intermission.
It was a second half filled with runs as the teams traded the lead seven times in the final 20 minutes. IC was able to forge a seven-point advantage at 70-63 with 3:39 to play but the Red Hawks closed the game with a 14-5 run to earn the victory.Â
The winning points came on Cade Tackmier's (who led Ripon with 23 points) jumper in the lane with eight seconds to play. IC had the final possession but could not get a clear look before the buzzer.
It is a quick turnaround for IC as Knox comes to Sherman Gymnasium on Tuesday for a Midwest Conference game. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
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