ST. PAUL, Minn. – In the last game before the winter break, Macalester women's basketball traveled to Bethel for another MIAC matchup. Despite the Scots' best efforts, they fell to the Royals 66-38. Macalester ends 2022 with a record of 2-7 (1-5 MIAC).

The Royals got off to an early 8-2 lead, before senior forward Emma LaFrenz (Edina, Minn./Edina) completed an and-one to cut the lead down to three. Sophomore guard/forward Peyton Starks (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) scored the remaining four points of the quarter for Macalester, but trailed 20-11 at the end of 10 minutes. In the second, Macalester cut the Royals' lead down to 11 twice, once with a layup by Starks, and again with an and-one completed by sophomore guard Nicole Norton (Brussels, Wis./Southern Door), making the score 27-16 with 6:14 on the clock. Bethel took its largest lead of the game 36-20, heading into halftime.

The Royals were able to stifle the Scots in the third to handful of points from senior guard Solana Cushing (Minneapolis, Minn./South), sophomore guard/forward Katherine Norquist (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton College Prep), and Norton. In the fourth, junior guard Andrea Palmen (Kenosha, Wis./The Prairie School) stepped up and knocked down a three to start Macalester's 5-0 run. Starks completed another team and-one with 2:45 on the clock. Cushing put up another Macalester three-pointer and LaFrenz sank two free throws at the end, but the Royals came out on top, 66-38.

LaFrenz was a huge factor for Macalester today, totaling 23 rebounds. She registered 11 offensive and 12 defensive rebounds. LaFrenz also recorded two assists and seven points. Starks led the Scots with 13 points, six steals, two blocks, eight rebounds, and one assist. Macalester shot 52.6% from the line.

The Scots resume play on Wednesday January 4. The Scots will kick off 2023 at home against St. Olaf at 7:00 p.m.