ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College women's basketball team used a big fourth quarter to put away Martin Luther College, 69-61 in the Scots' home opener Tuesday night in the Leonard Center. The win gives Macalester a 2-1 record on the season, while the Knights begin the 2024-25 campaign 0-1.

The first quarter remained close throughout, with neither team leading by more than four points. After a pair of free throws gave the Scots an 18-16 edge, Lauren Paulsen made a three-pointer to give Martin Luther a 19-18 lead at the end of the quarter. The Knights extended their lead to 26-21 midway through the second quarter before a conventional three-point play by sophomore guard Mary Daley (Cumberland, R.I./Bishop Feehan), a steal by senior guard Peyton Starks (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) and a three from sophomore guard Kendall Bernbaum (Dallas, Texas/Shelton School) put Macalester up one, 27-26. Starks answered two Grace Kieselhorst baskets with a three-pointer to tie the score at 30-30. The teams exchanged baskets near the end of the quarter to send the teams into the halftime break tied at 32-32.

Early in the third quarter, baskets by sophomore guard Sydnee Smith (Gainesville, Va./Patriot) and senior forward Katherine Norquist (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton College Prep) gave the Scots a 36-32 lead. After the Knights responded with seven straight points, a three-pointer by senior guard Jessica Sabbagh (Eau Claire, Wis./Regis) and a basket from Norquist made the score 41-39 Macalester with six minutes left in the quarter. The teams exchanged baskets and the lead until Martin Luther closed the quarter on a 6-4 run to take a narrow 50-49 advantage into the fourth quarter.

Again the Scots started the quarter well, using another three from Sabbagh to spark an 8-2 run for a 57-52 lead with 5:26 left to play. After the Knights came back to within one, Smith and Lydia Feidt exchanged threes to make the score 60-59 Macalester with under three minutes remaining. With the game in the balance, Daley made a layup and was fouled. Additionally, a technical foul was called on the Knights, giving the Scots three free throws and the ball. Daley made hers and Starks hit two more for a 65-59 advantage. Macalester's defense held Martin Luther to one basket over the final two minutes, and Starks registered a steal and a pair of free throws down the stretch to wrap up the win.

The Scots, who out-scored Martin Luther 20-11 in the final quarter, shot 40.0 percent from the field for the game and held a 40-34 advantage in rebounds. Starks finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals to lead Macalester. Daley made an impact with 11 points, a career-high 11 rebounds and five assists for her first career double-double. Norquist pitched in with 10 points, six boards, four assists and two blocks, while Smith had nine points and three steals. Paulsen led the Knights with 13 points and seven rebounds.

Next up for the Scots is a non-conference road game at UW-Superior on Saturday, Nov. 16. The game is set to start at 3:00 p.m. in Superior, Wis.