ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College women's basketball team played its third straight home game tonight against Hamline. The Scots fought hard, but ultimately fell 79-49 to the Pipers. Macalester is now 4-8 (3-6 MIAC).

Hamline started the game on a 7-1 run before junior guard Andrea Palmen (Kenosha, Wis./The Prairie School) made a layup to close the gap to four. The Pipers quickly built up their lead again, but Macalester answered back with a 6-0 run started but a pair of free throws made by sophomore guard/forward Katherine Norquist (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton College Prep). Yet the Scots trailed 14-9 at the end of the quarter.

Sophomore guard/forward Peyton Starks (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) opened the scoring in the second quarter. However, the Pipers would go on a 13-0 run to extend their lead to 27-11 with 5:28 on the clock. Macalester continued to push forward with Starks scoring four and senior guard Solana Cushing (Minneapolis, Minn./South) knocked down two threes. Going into the break, Macalester was behind 40-21.

The third quarter was an offensive battle, with both teams knocking in buckets. Norquist and Cushing combined at the beginning of the third for five points. Norquist and Cushing each knocked in a basket and Cushing assisted Norquist in a three-pointer to answer Hamline's attack, making the game 46-28 with 8:03 left in the quarter. The Scots continued on the attack, with Cushing banking another shot from beyond the arc, to make it 57-39. At the end of the third, the Scots trailed 68-43. The fourth quarter saw both teams do well defensively to limit chances. Macalester fell 79-49.

Starks led both teams with 18 points and eight rebounds. Cushing followed with 13 points and also totaled three assists. Norquist also hit double digits with 10 points.

Macalester's next game will be Saturday January 14. The Scots travel to Northfield to take on Carleton.