Box Score
Macalester's 2011-12 season got off to a good start Friday at the University of Chicago Tip-Off Tournament as the Scots forced 24 turnovers to beat Benedictine (Ill.) 68-56.  The Scots advance to tomorrow's tourney title game and will play No. 2-ranked Chicago, an easy 93-57 winner over Fontbonne (Mo.) in the other semi-final game.

Jessica Rene (Sr., Eau Claire, Wis. / Memorial) scored 15 points to pace a balanced Macalester offense.  Shannon Rene (Sr., Eau Claire, Wis. / Memorial) and Holly Schiedermayer (Sr., Waupaca, Wis.) added 14 points apiece, and Maggie Wood (Sr., Oregon, Wis. / Madison Edgewood) joined them in double figures with 10 points.

The Scots dished out assists on 20 out of 27 baskets, getting five helpers from Kyanna Jones (Jr., Brooklyn Park, Minn. / Osseo) and Wood, who led the defense with five steals.  Jones also scored eight points and was the team's top rebounder with seven.  Shannon Rene had four steals and Jessica Rene had four assists.

Mac's defense forced 10 turnovers in the first 10 minutes of play.  After dropping back 4-0 in the early going, the Scots began a 21-8 run to go on top 21-12 with 6:23.  Macalester led 34-28 at the intermission and a 10-0 rally put the Scots up 48-32 with 14:57 remaining in the second half.  Benedictine closed the contest on a 9-1 run to get to within a dozen at the end.

The Eagles, who went 16-10 last season, were led by Tracey Walsh with 21 points.  Benedictine missed nine of 10 from behind the three-point arc.

Macalester led 25-8 in points off turnovers.

Saturday's Mac vs. Chicago 3 p.m. game will be webcast here.  Also, Live Stats will be available. The Chicago Maroons won three NCAA tournament games last season and has a 19-game regular-season unbeaten streak.  Only Amherst has a higher ranking in the D3hoops.com national Division III poll.