NORTHFIELD, Minn. – After a 391-day hiatus, the Macalester College men's basketball team lost a tight game to St. Olaf College, 70-67 Friday night at the Skoglund Center. The Scots, who lost to the Oles in the 2019-20 season finale on Feb. 22, 2020, open the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign 0-1.

The first half remained close throughout, with St. Olaf taking a 22-16 lead with 7:39 on the clock. Macalester responded with a three-pointer by senior guard Tyler McFarland (Denver, Colo./New Hampton School) and five points from first year guard Caleb Williams (Wild Rose, Wis./Wild Rose) to lead 24-22 with 5:48 left in the half. The Oles regained the upper hand by scoring the next five points, only to have the Scots finish the half with a 12-6 run to take a 36-33 advantage at the break. Williams tallied 12 points, while senior forward Jackson Henningfield (Lake Mary, Fla./Lyman) scored eight points in the first half.

Eight straight points over the first two minutes of the second half put St. Olaf on top, 41-36. First year guard Michael Poker (Brookfield, Wis./Brookfield East) drained a three to end the run, and Macalester later pulled to within one, 43-42 following a Williams free throw at the 15-minute mark. The Oles used an 11-3 run to push their lead to nine, 54-45 with 9:44 to play. But the Scots came back, scoring the next 10 points, capped by a conventional three-point play by Williams to lead, 55-54 with seven minutes left.

Again the Oles regained the lead, 62-59 with 4:40 left. Macalester answered with a 6-2 run for a 65-64 edge. A basket by Niko Poludorou gave the hosts a 66-65 lead with 3:37 to play, and the score didn't change until Michael Meriggioli made a layup with 1:17 on the clock for a 68-65 St. Olaf advantage. With 4.5 seconds remaining and the Scots down by three, McFarland made two free throws to make it a one-point game, 68-67. Macalester fouled, and Connor Martin hit both free throws for a 70-67 lead. The Scots' long pass was intercepted, ending the game and clinching the win for St. Olaf.

Williams finished with 21 points and nine rebounds in his first collegiate game. Henningfield, a two-time All-MIAC selection, ended up with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Poker also made a solid debut with 12 points. Martin led the Oles with 16 points.

Macalester and St. Olaf are playing four games against each other this spring. The next game will be at Macalester on Sunday, March 21. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. in the Leonard Center. Spectators are not allowed in the Leonard Center, but fans can watch the game live at https://athletics.macalester.edu/watch.