St. Paul, Minn. – The Macalester College women's basketball team continued its season on the road this afternoon against Bethel. The Royals put on a strong performance and the Scots fell, 80-48. The Scots are now 8-15 (6-14 MIAC).
 
The Royals put up the first four points of the game before sophomore guard Andrea Palmen (Kenosha, Wis./The Prairie School) made a layup. The next four minutes consisted of Bethel going on a 7-4 run, increasing the Royals' lead to five. However, the Scots fought to get the lead. After a few free throws made by Palmen and junior forward Emma LaFrenz (Edina, Minn./Edina), junior guard Solana Cushing (Minneapolis, Minn./South) put up an important three pointer, to put the Scots ahead 12-11 with 1:03 on the clock. The last minute was back-and-forth and a last second basket by the Royals saw the Scots down 15-14, going into the second quarter.
 
The Royals didn't go easy on the Scots, starting the second quarter on a 15-0 run. The second half of the quarter was a hard-fought back-and-forth battle. Cushing would knock down her second three of the game, while senior guard Celine Sabbagh (Eau Claire, Wis./Regis) and sophomore guard Maia Pedrosa (South San Francisco, Calif./Urban School of San Francisco) would put up baskets. The Royals took a strong 40-23 lead into the break.
 
The third quarter began with Sabbagh knocking down a pair of free throws, starting a 6-2 run for the Scots. First year guard/forward Peyton Starks (St. Louis, MO./John Burroughs School) would make seven points for the Scots this quarter, as the Scots continued to press forward. However, the Royals would lead 42-39, going into the final 10 minutes. Despite the Scots' persistence, the Royals continued their dominance and won the game 80-48.
 
Sabbagh and Starks led the team with 11 points apiece. Cushing followed with 10 points. LaFrenz registered 12 rebounds this afternoon.
 
The Scots next game is Monday, February 14. Macalester will host Augsburg at 5:45 p.m. in the Leonard Center.