WINONA, Minn. - The Cardinals (6-6) secured a victory over the Knights (2-11) with a final score of 75-39 at home and in front of their alumni. The Cardinals never trailed in their dominant win and nine players recording points.
 
Brianna Nusbaum led the Cardinals with 14 points, making 6-of-10 baskets and contributing three steals. Rylie Sternquist also scored 14 points adding two steals and a block. Julia Koch provided a notable performance with nine points, including three three-pointers, and recorded three assists and two steals.
 
Kali Olson stood out with a double-double, scoring 14 points while grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking two shots. 
 
The Cardinals dominated the first quarter against Carleton, scoring 24 points to Carleton's four. 
Sternquist scored the first points and Koch extended the lead with a three-pointer at 8:30, contributing to a 7-0 start. Brianna Nusbaum played a key role with back-to-back fast-break layups, bringing the score to 9-0 by 5:45. Carleton's first points came from Addy Huss with a layup at 4:15, but the Cardinals continued to control the pace, highlighted by Emma Mann's two consecutive three-pointers in the final minute to further extend their lead.
 
The second quarter saw the Cardinals outscoring Carleton with a quarter score of 16 to 14. The quarter began with Nayeli Williams of Carleton hitting a 3-pointer, but the Cardinals quickly responded with a three-pointer from Maggie Newhouse at 9:15. Victoria Marial played a significant role for the Cardinals by scoring a layup at 8:30 and assisting on another basket. 
Olson added to the Cardinals lead with a layup at 2:00, and Jaiden Thompson capped the quarter with a three-pointer, assisted by Mann, as the clock wound down to lead 40-18 at the half.
 
Julia Koch made significant contributions in the third quarter with a three-pointer at 8:00, followed by another at 5:00, helping to extend the lead. Carleton's Addy Huss responded with a layup and subsequent free throws, but the Cardinals maintained control with Olson's consistent rebounding and scoring, including a key jumper at 3:00. Despite Carleton's efforts, including a jumper by Jasmine Maldonado, the Cardinals held a comfortable lead to close the quarter.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals outscored Carleton 14-6, extending their lead with consistent scoring and strong defensive plays. Nusbaum hit a three-pointer with assistance from Mann at the 6:00 mark, further widening the gap. 
 
It was a total team effort for the women's team as they extended their win streak to three games, marking their first such streak since the 2018-19 season.
 
The Cardinals return home on Wednesday, January 15th, to face ranked Gustavus at 7:30 p.m.