Box Score RIPON, Wis. – The Grinnell College women's basketball team shot out to the halftime lead against Ripon College Saturday afternoon, but the host Red Hawks rallied for a 79-65 victory in Midwest Conference play.

Alissa Hirsh '16 had yet another huge game for Grinnell, tallying 20 points and coming up with two steals. She was 9-of-15 from the field. Anne Boldt '16 and Cristal Coleman '15 were also in double figures with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Boldt and Abby Jaeger '14 also had two steals, while Alex Neckopulos '17 grabbed six rebounds. Hirsh, Jaeger and Sophia Gatton '17 dished out two assists apiece for the Pioneers, who are 1-9 overall and 0-5 in league play.

Jill VanEperen had 36 points for the Red Hawks, who moved to 4-7 overall and 4-2 in the MWC.

Grinnell twice built a seven-point lead in the first half, the initial time at 25-18 on a jumper by Jordan Matosky '16 and again at 27-20 on a jumper by Coleman.

However, Ripon rallied to go up by two near the end of the half before baskets by Hirsh and Lydia Stariha '17 made it a 39-37 lead for the Pioneers going into the locker room.

The second half was back and forth early, with Grinnell taking its final lead on a jumper by Hirsh that made it 45-44 with 18:53 left in the game. The Red Hawks were up by just one a while later when they went on a critical eight-point run that put them ahead 60-51 with 11:34 to go.

The Pioneers never got closer than six the rest of the way as Ripon closed out the win.

Grinnell returns to Darby Gymnasium Wednesday for a MWC contest against Knox College. Game time is 7:30 p.m.