NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Sophomore guard/forward Katherine Norquist (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton College Prep) hit a last second buzzer beater, to cap off a career high 22 points, and lift Macalester women's basketball over St. Olaf, 83-81, in overtime. Macalester improves to 5-17 (4-15 MIAC).

After starting down 7-0, senior forward Emma LaFrenz (Edina, Minn./Edina) sank a jumper that started a 6-0 run for Macalester. Sophomore guard/forward Peyton Starks (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) continued the momentum for the Scots, overtaking the lead, 11-9, completing an and-one. Starks then drove in a last second layup to keep the lead 13-11 after the first quarter.

The Oles once again started the quarter with a 7-0 run. Sophomore guard Nicole Norton (Brussels, Wis./Southern Door) knocked in both of her free throws to put the Scots within three, 18-15, with 8:03 left in the half. The half remained back-and-forth, with Norquist putting the Scots within two, and Starks tying the game at 22 all with an and-one with 5:12 on the clock. Junior guard Caitlin Panos (North Andover, Mass./Andover) hit an important three with just under three minutes remaining in the second quarter, but the Scots trailed 39-29 at the break.
Norquist was the first to put points up in the third with a layup. The Oles maintained a 10-point lead for a bit, Panos banked another three-pointer to cut into St. Olaf's lead, 45-38. Junior guard Andrea Palmen (Kenosha, Wis./The Prairie School) and Starks added baskets to cut the lead to five, 47-42. The Oles increased their lead once again to nine, but the Scots quickly shut that down, going on an 13-8 run. Norquist tallied six points while Palmen sank one from beyond the arc and senior guard Solana Cushing (Minneapolis, Minn./South) and Starks each sank a shot. Heading into the third, the Scots trailed by four, 59-55.

Starks quickly made it a one-score game, driving in a layup to kick off the fourth quarter. Some back-and-forth and Starks pulled up to tie the game at 62 with 7:08 on the clock. Starks went on a solo run to take over the lead 67-64. With 1:11 on the clock, Norquist tied the game up at 68. The Oles made one free throw to take a one-point lead. Panos once again hit an all-important three to lead 71-69. In the closing seconds of the game, St, Olaf's Paige Yagodinski drove in a basket to send the game into overtime.

Norquist opened the extra four minutes with a three and a layup. Cushing then hit one from beyond the arc to lead 79-75, halfway through the period. The Oles fought back, but Panos' jumper kept Macalester ahead, 81-77. The Oles' Yagodinski tied the game with two seconds on the clock. However, Norquist came up big for the Scots, sinking a buzzer beater to win the game 83-81.

Norquist's career high night of 22 points also included five assists and five rebounds. Starks also had a career night, scoring 34 points. Starks also registered a double-double, securing 12 rebounds, and totaled two steals and an assist. Macalester shot 47.1% from the field. Panos went 3-for-4 three-pointers, coming up big in key moments for the Scots.

Macalester's next game will be on Saturday February 11. The Scots host Carleton at 3:00 p.m. in the Leonard Center. The Scots will honor its seniors for Senior Day.