ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Saint Mary's women's basketball team (7-7)  traveled to Macalester (8-7) on Saturday afternoon in a 67-54 win after leading for nearly the entire game.
 
Brianna Nusbaum led the Cardinals with a strong performance, scoring 20 points, including three three-pointers. She also contributed defensively with five steals and grabbed six rebounds. Lindsey Lettner was efficient from beyond the arc, hitting all three of her three-point attempts, contributing 13 points and adding two steals. Rylie Sternquist added 11 points, matched Nusbaum with six rebounds, and also added two steals. Kali Olson was perfect from the field, shooting 4-for-4, and led the team with eight rebounds, while also blocking two shots.
 
In the first quarter, the Cardinals started strong with Sternquist scoring a layup followed by Olson's jumper, establishing an early 4-0 lead. Macalester struggled initially with turnovers and missed shots, allowing the Cardinals to extend their lead to 7-0 with a three-pointer by Nusbaum at 7:30. The Scots managed to score a layup, but the Cardinals responded with a three-pointer from Sternquist, pushing the lead to 10-4 midway through the quarter.
 
Despite a late surge from Macalester, including multiple baskets by Starks, the Cardinals maintained control, ending the quarter ahead 22-14, led by a balanced attack and strong defensive rebounding.
 
Sternquist and Breacia Carter helped extend the Cardinals lead in the second quarter with a series of successful plays, including a three-pointer by Carter. The quarter concluded with both teams scoring 13 points each, keeping the overall game score close.
 
Saint Mary's and Macalester entered the third quarter tied and exchanged leads multiple times. In the early minutes, Lettner of the Cardinals hit a thrreer-pointer at 9:14, extending their lead, but Macalester's Mary Daley responded with a three-pointer of her own at 7:01, narrowing the gap. 
 
A series of turnovers and missed shots kept the game tight, with both teams capitalizing on fast-break opportunities. With 1:05 remaining, Daley's layup gave Macalester a two-point edge, but Emma Mann's free throws in the final seconds ensured the quarter ended in a 48-48 tie.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals secured a decisive win over the Scots with a quarter score of 19-6. The quarter began with consecutive turnovers by Macalester allowing the Cardinals to capitalize on defensive rebounds and steals. Nusbaum played a significant role for the Cardinals, scoring a layup at 7:30 to tie the game and then converting a free throw to take the lead. 
 
Olson contributed crucial points with a layup and jumper, while Lettner's two three-pointers helped extend the lead. Macalester struggled with shooting, converting only two of 12 field goal attempts, and committed several fouls, allowing the Cardinals to pull away and conclude the quarter with a comfortable win.
 
The Cardinals will return home on Wednesday January 22nd to play St. Olaf at 7:30 p.m.