Freshman Kiana Fall made two free throws with 7.8 seconds left in the game and Lakeland University saw its tying three-point attempt in the final seconds was off target in a 45-42 loss to Ripon College Friday night at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.

Another late rally against a Midwest Conference opponent came up just short as the Muskies women's basketball team lost at home for the second time in eight days to a nearby non-conference opponent. Lakeland also dropped to 0-3 overall against a difficult early season schedule

Fall's free throws came just after Lakeland had closed within one point on a drive and layup by Kacey Gardner (So-Evergreen Park, Ill.) with 10 seconds to play. Going to the line for the first time in her collegiate career, the diminutive Red Hawks point guard made both shots, leaving the Muskies needing a three-pointer to tie and send the game to overtime.

Lakeland had a good look to tie the game in the final seconds, as Abby Nylund (Jr.-Crystal Falls, Mich.) was open on the left wing. Her three-pointer was just long, bounding off the back of the rim and rebounded by Ripon's Alyassa Burgess, who held the ball until time expired.

Just as they did in their season opener against St. Norbert College last Friday, the Muskies played from behind much of the night. Also like the opener, Lakeland was never far behind the defending MWC champion Red Hawks in a game that featured quality defenses on both sides.

Ripon (1-0 overall) took its largest lead at eight points after a slicing layup by Caitie Carpenter to open the fourth quarter and make it 37-29, but the Muskies got back within three on a layup by Megan Will (Jr.-Lake Mills, Wis.) with 6:11 to play. Lakeland would not get any closer until the final seconds, though, the result of a combination of missed opportunities as well as clutch shots by the Red Hawks, including a three-pointer by Jesi Nay that pushed the lead to 43-37 with 2:14 left.

The Muskies trailed by five going into the final minute but got a backcourt steal and layup by Gardner to make it 43-40 with 49 seconds left. Lakeland then got a stop and Gardner scored again before Ripon held off the final charge.

The first half also was close, with neither leading by more than five points. The Muskies took their first lead of the game on a layup by Will midway through the second quarter, but Ripon held Lakeland scoreless the final 4:52 of the half and led 21-19 at the half.

Both teams struggled to score as Lakeland shot 34.0% (18 of 53) while Ripon was even lower at 32.0% (16 of 50). The Red Hawks finished with a 44-28 rebounding advantage, but the guests also committed 25 turnovers to the Muskies' 15 miscues.

Will finished with a game-best 22 points, accounting for more than half of Lakeland's output. Will also added eight rebounds. Freshman Brianna Jones (Indianapolis, Ind.) also added six points plus seven steals.

Nay and Alison Leslie scored 13 points each for Ripon, while Alyassa Burgess added four points, 10 rebounds, and was key in a Red Hawks interior defense that made life difficult for the Muskies near the rim.

Lakeland's schedule gets no easier next time out as it travels to face UW-Stevens Point Wednesday at 7 p.m.