ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester women's basketball team hosted Carleton for a MIAC matchup. It was a tense final quarter, but the Scots were able to outlast the Knights, 55-50. Macalester improves to 6-17 (5-15 MIAC).

After going back-and-forth for the first few points of the game, junior guard Caitlin Panos (North Andover, Mass./Andover) sank an important three-pointer that started a 7-0 run for the Scots to take a 9-3 lead with 5:28 left in the quarter. First year Ellie Corbett (Austin, Texas/James Bowie) knocked in a basket, and sophomore guard/forward Katherine Norquist (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton College Prep) sank a free throw to lead 12-8 after 10 minutes.

Sophomore guard/forward Peyton Starks (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) and senior guard Solana Cushing (Minneapolis, Minn./South) hit back-to-back-to-back threes for a 21-10 lead to start off the second quarter. Starks completed an and-one and Cushing's late three-pointer gave the Scots a 27-21 lead at halftime.

Macalester started the third with an 11-0 run. Starks put up six, while Cushing added another three, and Panos sank a basket. The Knights would gain eight points back before junior guard Andrea Palmen (Kenosha, Wis./The Prairie School) knocked in a three of her own to lead 41-29 with 3:23 on the clock. Starks hit two free throws to keep a seven-point lead, 43-35 heading into the final quarter.

The final 10 minutes were a battle. The Knights went on a 10-3 run to get within one, 46-45, with 4:41 on the clock. Norquist answered with an important layup, but Carleton quickly cut the lead back to one with just under four minutes remaining. Yet Norquist led the Scots to victory, scoring five of Macalester's last seven points to claim victory, 55-50.

Starks registered another double-double this season, leading the Scots with 20 points and 12 rebounds. She also tallied four steals and three assists. Norquist led the team with six assists and registered two steals, a block, and nine boards. Cushing totaled 11 points, including three three-pointers.

Before the game, the Scots honored their seniors: Cushing and Emma LaFrenz (Edina, Minn./Edina).

Macalester will play its final home game of the season on Wednesday Feb 15. The Scots host Saint Benedict, with tip off at 7:00 p.m. in the Leonard Center.