St. Paul, Minn. – The Macalester College women's basketball team opened up 2022 with a conference matchup against Carleton this evening. The Scots were defeated by the Knights 71-64. The Scots are now 5-5 (3-4 MIAC).
 
First year guard/forward Katherine Norquist (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton College Prep) started the scoring off, making the first four of nine points in the Scots' first run of the game. However, the Knights would go on a surge to earn back points on the Scots. Junior forward Emma LaFrenz (Edina, Minn./Edina) and senior guard Celine Sabbagh (Eau Claire, Wis./Regis) added to the Scots' lead, but a three-point shot at the end of the first half brought the Knights within one at the end of the quarter.
 
Carleton continued its momentum in the second half. While LaFrenz and Sabbagh put the Scots up five in the first two and a half minutes of the second quarter, the Knights overtook the lead with a pair of three pointers, a couple more baskets, going up 26-22. A three-pointer from junior guard Solana Cushing (Minneapolis, Minn./South) brought the Scots within one with 4:00 minutes on the clock. However, the Scots could not regain the lead, going into the break down 32-28.
 
The second half was a thriller for both teams, going back-and-forth and each team putting up a fight. The first five minutes consisted of Macalester going on an 11-7 run, including seven more from Norquist and a three-pointer from Cushing to tie the game at 39 with 4:58 on the clock. The final half of the quarter saw both teams answering back each other's points. Sophomore guard Maia Pedrosa (South San Francisco, Calif./ Urban School of San Francisco) scored her second three-pointer of the night at the end of the third quarter to tie the game up at 48 going into the final 10 minutes.
 
The back-and-forth battle continued with Macalester edging over the Knights in the first five minutes in the second half. Another three-pointer from Cushing and four points from Sabbagh saw the Scots regain the lead, 59-58 with the clock at 5:07. Another three from Pedrosa saw the Scots up four, but the Knights went on a late surge, 13-5, to take the victory 71-64.
 
Pedrosa had a magnificent game, registering a career high with 13 points, including her three three-pointers. Norquist led Macalester with 16 points. LaFrenz earned her third double-double of the season with 16 rebounds and 12 points.
 
Macalester's next game is Saturday, Jan 8. The Scots head to Minneapolis to take on Augsburg. Tipoff is set for 1:00 p.m.