ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester women's basketball team was back in the Leonard Center tonight. The Scots hosted the Cobbers of Concordia. Macalester started on the back foot, and couldn't quite catch up to the Cobbers, losing 72-54. The Scots are now 4-10 (3-8 MIAC).

The Scots got out to a slow start in the first quarter, falling 14-3 after 10 minutes. The Scots began to rally in the second quarter. Sophomore Nicole Norton (Brussels, Wis./Southern Door) started it for the Scots with a quick jumper. Sophomore guard/forward Katherine Norquist (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton College Prep) added a point while junior guard Andrea Palmen (Kenosha, Wis./The Prairie School) sank one from beyond the arc to put Macalester into double digits. Senior guard Solana Cushing (Minneapolis, Minn./South) knocked down a pair of buckets at the end of the half to trail 33-14 at the break.

Macalester continued to fight in the third, outscoring the Cobbers 23-17. Sophomore guard/forward Peyton Starks (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) scored her first points of the game, scoring the first six points of the quarter for the Scots. Norton then started a 7-0 run for Macalester, halfway through the quarter. A couple more baskets and two important three-pointers from Cushing and junior guard Caitlin Panos (North Andover, Mass./Andover), saw the Scots trailing 50-37 at the end of the third.

Macalester opened the fourth quarter on a 12-7 run, began by Starks. Norquist also contributed in the run and Cushing sank another pair of buckets from beyond the arc. Panos hit another three for Macalester, but ultimately the Scots fell 72-54.

Cushing led the team with 16 points and seven rebounds. She also tallied three assists. Starks followed with 14 points, while Norquist finished the game with 10. Macalester shot 41.5% from the field, and 38.1% from beyond the arc.

Macalester's next game will be on Wednesday January 18. The Scots will be in Winona, Minn., taking on the Cardinals of Saint Mary's. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.