ST. PAUL, Minn. –  The Macalester women's basketball team hosted the #5-nationally ranked Gusties of Gustavus Adolphus. The Scots had an impressive second quarter, but fell to the Gusties 75-33. The Scots drop to 9-13 (6-11 MIAC) while the Gusties improve to 19-1 (15-0 MIAC).

The Scots got off to a slow start, going down 24-6 in the first quarter. However, they bounced back with a force, in the second outscoring the Gusties 18-7. Junior guard/forward Peyton Starks (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) kicked off the initial 16-2 run with two buckets and a pair of free throws. Then, first year guard Acacia Edmond (Houston, Texas/Shadow Creek) made a layup and senior guard Andrea Palmen (Kenosha, Wis./The Prairie School) made one from the line. Junior guard/forward Katherine Norquist (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton College Prep) completed an and-one and Starks capped off the run. The Scots trailed the Gusties 31-24 at the break. In the third, Norquist and Edmond put up a few baskets, while senior guard/forward Jada Northover (San Francisco, Calif./San Francisco University HS) and first year forward Brooke Boroughs (Monroe, Wash./Monroe) put up a few points in the fourth for Macalester. However, #5 Gustavus came out strong in the second half and took the game 75-33.

Starks led the team with 16 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Norquist totaled nine points and led the team with two assists.

Macalester's next game will be Wednesday Feb 7. The Scots play St. Catherine on the road at 7:00 p.m.