OSHKOSH - St. Norbert College turned in a solid defensive effort en route to a 51-39 win over Ripon College in a non-conference game at the UW-Oshkosh Classic at Kolf Sports Center.

The Green Knights (2-2) were deadlocked 18-18 at halftime with the Red Hawks before pulling away with a big 10-0 run to open the third quarter.

St. Norbert jumped out to a 28-18 lead midway through the third period. Jessica Boerner's jumper got things started, followed by a Kaycee Gierczak layup. Boerner then followed with a couple of jumpers for an eight-point edge, and Olivia DeCleene followed with a layup for a 10-point bulge with 5:28 left in the period. Ripon would cut the deficit down to four points on a pair of occasions before DeCleene's conventional three-point play with 16 seconds left put St. Norbert ahead 33-26 at the end of the third quarter.

A pair of Gierczak free throws with 9:03 to go put St. Norbert ahead 37-26 before the Red Hawks scored the next seven points to get to within 37-33 with 7:24 remaining. The Green Knights would then score the next 11 points as the lead ruptured to 48-33 with 2:42 left on a Gierczak conventional three-point play.

Ripon led 12-9 at the end of the first quarter. After the Red Hawks took a 14-9 lead with 9:08 left in the second quarter, the Green Knights held their former Midwest Conference rival to just four points the rest of the period for an 18-18 halftime score.

St. Norbert shot 37.5 percent (18-for-48) from the floor. Gierczak led St. Norbert with 16 points and nine rebounds. Boener added 12 points and six rebounds, while DeCleene chipped in with 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists. The Green Knights committed just nine fouls.

Ripon shot 26.8 percent (15-for-56) from the field and committed 21 turnovers. Alison Leslie led the Red Hawks with 13 points.