ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester women's basketball team overcame a slow start, as the Scots defeated Saint Mary's, 67-60, this afternoon, in the Leonard Center. Macalester improves to 9-12, 6-10 MIAC, while Saint Mary's is now 2-19 (0-16 MIAC).

The Scots had a slow start, as the Cardinals opened the game with a 14-0 run. Junior guard/forward Katherine Norquist (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton College Prep) ended the Cardinals' run and kicked off a 10-0 run for Macalester. Fellow junior guard/forward Peyton Starks (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) successfully completed an important and-one and a three-pointer from senior guard Andrea Palmen (Kenosha, Wis./The Prairie School) put the Scots within four. Then, sophomore forward Ellie Corbett (Austin, Texas/James Bowie) sank one from beyond the arc to make it a one-play game, down 16-13 with 2:29 on the clock. Norquist and Starks combined to take a slight 18-16 lead into the second quarter. First year guard Acacia Edmond (Houston, Texas/Shadow Creek) and Starks extended the Scots' lead to six, 24-18 early in the second. The Cardinals put up a fight but the Scots maintained a 30-26 lead into break.

The Cardinals would tie the game up twice, early in the third, but Norquist, first year guard Sydnee Smith (Gainesville, Va./Patriot), and junior guard Nicole Norton (Brussels, Wis./Southern Door) helped to maintain a slight lead 36-33 with 5:39 on the clock. However, Saint Mary's took the lead back a minute later going on a 12-3 run to lead 45-39 with 2:27 on the clock. Macalester worked hard to close the gap, making five out of six free throws in the final minutes of the quarter to trail 47-44 headed into the fourth. Palmen sank an important three in the early stages of the quarter to tie the game at 49. The two teams battled back and forth, but Starks regained the lead for the Scots, 56-55, with 4:38 on the clock, completing an and-one. First year guard Mary Daley (Cumberland, R.I./Bishop Feehan) increased the lead with an important three to keep the Cardinals at bay. The Scots maintained control and defeated the Cardinals 67-60.

Starks registered a season high 27 points in the victory and recorded a team high six steals. Norquist sank 15 points and dished out a career high eight assists on the afternoon. Daley also dished out a season high five assists in the win. The Scots shot 40% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.

Macalester's next game will be Monday Feb 5. The Scots host #5 Gustavus in the Leonard Center. Tipoff will be at 7:00 p.m.