ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester women's basketball team took on the Bethel Royals in the Leonard Center Saturday afternoon. The Royals came away with the 65-49 win in this matchup. The Scots are now 4-12 (3-10 MIAC).
The Royals pulled ahead with an 8-0 lead. However, Macalester quickly cut that down. Senior guard
Solana Cushing (Minneapolis, Minn./South) drained a three-pointer to kick off a run for the Scots. Sophomores, guard/forward
Katherine Norquist (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton College Prep) and guard
Nicole Norton (Brussels, Wis./Southern Door) got in on the action to pull within one, 10-9, with three minutes left in the quarter. However, the Royals were able to hold Macalester and lead 15-9 at the end of the quarter.
In the second quarter, the Royals continued to add to their lead. Norquist was able to end Bethel's 13-0 with a layup with 4:27 on the clock. Sophomore guard/forward
Peyton Starks (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) would score twice in the quarter after that, and Cushing's jumper at the end of the quarter saw Macalester trail 37-17 at half.
The Scots fought back in the third quarter. Starks started the scoring for the Scots, followed by Cushing. Junior guard
Andrea Palmen (Kenosha, Wis./The Prairie School) knocked down two from beyond the arc to help Macalester rally against the Royals. Strong free-throw shooting from Starks, Norquist, and sophomore
Jessica Sabbagh (Eau Claire, Wis./Regis) put the Scots within 12, 48-36, at the end of the quarter.
Cushing closed the gap to nine, with a quick three from beyond the arc at the beginning of the fourth, but the Royals were able to increase their lead back to 15. Cushing hit her second three of the quarter but the Royals continued to hold Macalester to limited chances. Starks made both free throws at the end of the quarter, but Macalester fell 65-49 to the Royals.
Macalester shot 90.9% from the line, making 10-for-11 free throws. Starks led Macalester with 15 points and nine rebounds. Cushing knocked down three from beyond the arc and totaled 13 points. Norquist finished the night with 10 points and three rebounds.
Macalester's next game will be on Wednesday January 25. The Scots take on Hamline on the road at 7:00 p.m.
