MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Macalester College women's basketball team won a close battle with Augsburg University, finishing strong to win, 59-56 in a MIAC game Saturday afternoon at Augsburg's Si Melby Hall. The win is the first conference victory for the Scots, who are now 6-3 overall and 1-1 in MIAC play. The Auggies drop to 1-5, 0-2 MIAC.

The first half remained close throughout, with neither team leading by more than five points over the first 20 minutes. Senior guard Peyton Starks (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) scored eight points in the first quarter to help Macalester take a 13-10 edge. The Scots held the lead through the second quarter and took a 21-16 advantage on a three-pointer by first year guard Samantha Smith (Piedmont, Calif./Piedmont) at the 5:42 mark. The lead was still five with two minutes on the clock when Kaylee Buerman hit a three for Augsburg to make the score 27-25. Senior forward Katherine Norquist (Chicago, ill./Walter Payton College Prep) made the final basket before halftime to give Macalester a 29-25 lead at the half. The Scots scored 10 points off 14 Augsburg turnovers in the first half.

At the start of the third quarter, Norquist, Starks and sophomore guard Sydnee Smith (Gainesville, Va./Patriot) scored to give Macalester its largest lead of the game, 35-27 at the 7:43 mark. The lead was still seven, 40-33 when Augsburg closed the quarter with a 12-4 run to gain the upper hand, 45-44 heading into the fourth quarter.

Despite losing a lead they held for most of the game, the Scots did not panic. After the teams exchanged baskets to start the final quarter, sophomore guard Kendall Bernbaum (Dallas, Texas/Shelton School) hit back-to-back three-pointers to put Macalester back on top, 52-47. The lead remained at five, 56-51 with three minutes left when the Auggies cut the deficit to two, 56-54 on a basket and a free throw with 1:37 remaining. Both teams came up empty on their next three possessions, with the Scots forcing two turnovers. On Macalester's next possession, Norquist was fouled and made both free throws with eight seconds to play. Katie Manecke made a quick basket for Augsburg, which then fouled sophomore guard Mary Daley (Cumberland, R.I./Bishop Feehan). Daley made 1-of-2 from the line, and Starks stole a long inbounds pass to end the game.

Norquist registered 19 points and nine rebounds while making all seven of her attempts from the charity stripe to lead the Scots. Starks finished with 17 points, while Bernbaum added eight points. Manecke led Augsburg with 15 points.

Macalester continues MIAC play with a home game against Carleton on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Leonard Center.