ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College women's basketball team hosted St. Scholastica this afternoon in a MIAC matchup. The Scots dominated the game, and won 80-58. The Scots are now 4-7 (3-5 MIAC).

Macalester opened the game with a 7-2 run. Sophomore guard/forward Peyton Starks (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) scored five of the first seven points, ending the run on an and-one. After catching up to the Scots, the teams battled for the lead, but Starks continued to answer back against the Saints, and pulled the Scots ahead, 13-12, at the end of the first quarter.

Macalester started on the backfoot in the second quarter, when the Saints opened with an 8-0 run. However, junior guard Andrea Palmen (Kenosha, Wis./The Prairie School) ended their run, with a three-pointer, pulling the Scots within four, 20-16, with 6:43 left in the half. Palmen then sank another three to keep it a four-point game. The Scots' sophomore guard Jessica Sabbagh (Eau Claire, Wis./Regis) sank another three for the Scots. A few free throws at the end of the half for the Saints, saw the Scots trailing 32-28 at halftime.

Macalester started the third quarter with buckets from Starks and Palmen to tie up the game at 32. Once sophomore guard/forward Katherine Norquist (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton College Prep) dropped a three-pointer and Starks completed an and-one, the two teams battled for the lead, until Starks retook the lead for Macalester, 46-44, dropping in two free throws with 3:28 left in the quarter. From there, it was all Scots, heading into the fourth with a 55-50 lead.

Macalester showed its dominance in the fourth, going on a 14-4 run in the first four minutes. Palmen sank two from beyond the arc, and Starks, Norquist, senior forward Emma LaFrenz (Edina, Minn./Edina), and senior guard Solana Cushing (Minneapolis, Minn./South) also got in on the action, leading 69-54. Macalester finished the game on an 11-4 run. Sophomore guard Nicole Norton (Brussels, Wis./Southern Door) dropped four points, while junior guard Caitlin Panos (North Andover, Mass./North Andover) hit a three in the run. Macalester cruised to an 80-58 victory.

Starks had a career high game of 30 points this afternoon. She also tallied a double-double with 10 rebounds. LaFrenz led the team in rebounds with 15. Cushing was a big playmaker for the Scots today, registering five assists. Macalester shot 49.2% from the field and knocked in 11-of-13 free throws.

Macalester's next game will be Wednesday January 11 at 7:00 p.m. The Scots host Hamline.