ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College women's basketball team battled one of the top teams in the MIAC this season in Saint Mary's University, eventually losing, 60-38 Saturday afternoon in the Leonard Center. The Scots are now 1-9 overall and 0-4 in conference play, while the Cardinals (10-1) remain unbeaten in the MIAC at 4-0.

Macalester struggled offensively in the first quarter, making 3-of-13 from the field as Saint Mary's took a 15-6 lead after 10 minutes. Early in the second quarter, a three-pointer by sophomore guard Emma Karlin (Rockville, Md./Richard Montgomery) and two free throws from junior guard Mary Daley (Cumberland, R.I./Bishop Feehan) brought the Scots to within six, 17-11. But Saint Mary's used a 17-6 run to build its largest lead of the half, 34-17 before a basket by junior guard Sydnee Smith (Gainesville, Va./Patriot) made the halftime score 34-19 Cardinals.

Three-pointers by Karlin and first year guard Faith Accardo (Thousand Oaks, Calif./Oaks Christian) helped Macalester play almost even with Saint Mary's in the third quarter, as the Cardinals extended their lead by just one point to 47-31 heading into the final quarter. Macalester's offensive woes returned in the fourth quarter as the Scots shot 17.6 percent (3-of-17) from the field and missed all nine of their three-point attempts over the final 10 minutes. Saint Mary's pulled away in the fourth, outscoring Macalester 13-7 to take a 60-38 victory.

Smith led the Scots with 10 points to go with five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Karlin finished with six points and a team-best six rebounds, while Daley contributed five points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Brianna Nusbaum paced Saint Mary's with 17 points.

Macalester continues conference play with a home MIAC game against Saint Benedict on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The game starts at 7:00 p.m. in the Leonard Center.