NORTHFIELD, Minn. - In a tightly contested game, the Saint Mary's women's basketball team (11-11) secured a 59-53 victory over the Carleton Knights (3-20) on Saturday afternoon, completing the conference sweep on the road.
 
Kali Olson led the team with 13 points and dominated the glass with 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season while also achieving two steals and one block. Lindsey Lettner led the Cardinals in three-point shooting, making four of nine attempts to contribute 12 points in the game. Julia Koch excelled in playmaking, recording a team-high five assists while adding five points. Brianna Nusbaum scored 11 points and tied for the team lead with two steals. 
 
Saint Mary's started strong in the first quarter, with Sternquist scoring the first points at 9:30 and quickly extending the lead to 6-0 by converting two free throws at 8:09. The Knights struggled early, committing a turnover and allowing Olson to block a shot, but eventually scored their first points with a layup at 6:45.
 
 Saint Mary's maintained their lead, highlighted by a three-pointer from Lettner at 2:19. The quarter ended with Saint Mary's leading 13-10, thanks to a balanced scoring effort and defensive rebounds.
 
Koch opened the second quarter with a three-pointer at 9:00, bringing the score to 16-10 in favor of the Cardinals. Lettner added to Saint Mary's lead with another three-pointer, while Nusbaum contributed significantly with assists and a steal that led to points, ending the quarter with a successful free throw to make it 29-22. 
 
The third quarter was dead even as both teams scored 13 points each, maintaining the competitive nature of the game. 
 
Carleton was active, contributing with free throws, a layup, and jumper early on, while also securing several defensive rebounds. Olson responded with two successful layups, maintaining their lead. 
 
Towards the end of the quarter, Sternquist's two successful free throws extended the lead to 39-31, before the Knights closed the gap with consecutive layups, bringing the score to 41-35. 
 
A three-pointer by Maggie Newhouse of Saint Mary's and an assist by Lettner helped secure the quarter's scoring tie.
 
In the final quarter, the Cardinals and Carleton traded leads multiple times, but a few key plays defined the game. 
 
Sternquist started the quarter with a layup extending Saint Mary's lead. However, Carleton quickly responded with four points, closing the gap. A series of free throws from Carletonallowed them to take their first lead of the game at 51-50 with three minutes remaining. Olson's layup at 00:37 and a subsequent jumper shifted momentum back to Saint Mary's. 
 
Lettner's fourth and final three-pointer extended their lead further and seemed to be the game's dagger. Saint Mary's secured a 58-53 victory with contributions from multiple players in the final minutes.
 
The Cardinals are back in action in Northfield on Wednesday, February 19th at 5:30 p.m. taking on St. Olaf is looking for another conference series sweep.