NEW ULM, Minn. – The Macalester women’s basketball team was back in Minnesota today, on the road against Martin Luther. The game remained close throughout the first three quarters, but the Scots dominated the fourth, outscoring the Knights 28-9, to take the victory 64-47.
The teams battled back-and-forth early for the lead. Junior guard/forwards Peyton Starks (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) and Katherine Norquist (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton College Prep), and first year guard Sydnee Smith (Gainesville, Va./Patriot) and senior guard Andrea Palmen (Kenosha, Wis./The Prairie School) all contributed to the slight 9-7 lead about halfway through the first quarter. Smith made a crucial three to maintain the lead, but the Knights came back to lead 17-15 at the end of the first. First year guard Mary Daley (Cumberland, R.I./Bishop Feehan) kicked off the second quarter with a steal, driving the ball to the net to tie the game. Starks and Smith then led the charge to regain the lead, 24-23 with 4:24 left on the clock. However, a three-pointer at the end of the third put Martin Luther ahead 26-25 at the break.
A layup from Norquist and precise free throws from Palmen and junior guard Nicole Norton (Brussels, Wis./Southern Door) put the Scots in the lead 30-29, with just over six and half minutes in the quarter. The lead would change four times before the end of the third, which saw the Knights just ahead of the Scots, 38-36.
The Scots came alive in the fourth, shooting 63.16% from the field and limiting the Knights’ offense. Senior guard Caitlin Panos (North Andover, Mass./North Andover) sank one from beyond the arc to kick it off. Martin Luther put in a free throw to tie the game at 39, but the Scots answered back with a 14-3 run. Smith led the charge, knocking in the first basket of the run, while Palmen, who scored seven in the run, knocked down a three-pointer to lead 53-42 with 4:36 on the clock. Macalester held Martin Luther to just five points in the remaining minutes, while the Scots recorded 11 more to win 64-47.
Smith registered the first double-double of the season, totaling 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Scots. Smith also had three steals and a block to her name. Starks also recorded 16 points. Norquist ended the day with 11 points, eight rebounds, and a team-leading four assists.
Macalester’s record is now 2-1, heading into conference play. The Scots’ will have their home opener on Tuesday Nov 21 at 5:15 p.m. Macalester hosts Concordia at the Leonard Center for a MIAC matchup.