ST. PAUL, Minn.- The Macalester College women's basketball team played well but just could not hold off #23 Gustavus Adolphus College. The Scots lost 82-65 at home. Macalester now has a record of 1-16 (0-12 MIAC) while the Gusties improve to 14-3 (10-2 MIAC).
 
Junior guard Katie Sowerby (Mill Valley, Calif./Tamalpais) scored the first points of the game with a nice jumper. Gustavus then answered with a three-point play to take a 3-2 lead. After the Gusties hit another layup, senior guard Holly Hull (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley Northwest) got going with her first points of the game to make the score 5-4. A few plays later, Sophomore guard Celine Sabbagh (Eau Claire, Wis./Regis) made a layup to give the Scots a three-point lead over the Gusties. Both teams continued their hot starts going trading baskets. In the first quarter there were three lead changes. Junior forward Katherine Podoll (San Geronimo,Calif./Sir Francis Drake) buried a three to make the score 14-11 in favor of the Scots. Gustavus responded with a three of their own to tie the game and took the lead shortly after. Macalester entered the second quarter down 21-17.
 
The Gusties extended the lead to 24-17 before Junior guard Luci Swift (Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins) put the Scots on the board with a nice mid-range jumper. Even though Macalester struggled from the field during the second quarter the Scots still put pressure on Gustavus and went into halftime only down 37-29.
 
Coming out of the half, Gustavus went on a 10-4 to extend their lead to 16 points. Macalester then clawed back by going on a run of their own and cutting the deficit to just six points. That run was aided by four three pointers from first year guard Solana Cushing (Minneapolis, Minn./South), junior guard Justine Barraza (Burbank, Calif./Harvard Westlake), and Sabbagh. With the Gusties up 55-47, they went back to the paint and scored a barrage of points to make the score 62-52 heading into the final quarter of play.
 
Gustavus kept their momentum in the fourth quarter by jumping out to a 71-54 lead at one point. The Scots fought back but the deficit was too big to overcome at that point. The final in the Leonard Center was 82-65 in favor of the Gusties.
 
Hull led the way for the Scots with 18 points and four rebounds. Right behind her was Barraza and Sabbagh with 12 and 11 apiece. All nine players that saw action on the floor scored for the Scots.
 
Macalester will host Saint Mary's in a MIAC game Wednesday, January 29. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
 
Box Score