NORTHFIELD, Minn. -- Macalester and Carleton matched up closely statistically except for shooting percentage, where the Scots were just 14-for-51, including 1-for-18 from three-point range, in a 54-44 loss to the Knights.

Macalester kept the game close early and trailed by two, at 17-15, when Sager Moritzky made a layup with eight minutes, five seconds remaining in the opening half. However, the Scots would not score again before the half as Carleton scored 13 unanswered points to take a 30-15 lead into halftime.

The visitors rallied late in the game, after trailing by as many as 19 points. An 11-2 run in the game's final five minutes got Macalester back to within 10 but the Scots could not get any closer.

Karrem Ismail scored a game-high 18 points to lead Macalester, shooting 5-for-9 from the field and 8-for-9 at the line.

The Scots return to action, Wednesday, when they travel across Mississippi River to Minneapolis to face Augsburg in a 7 p.m. game at Si Melby Hall.