WINONA, Minn. - The Saint Mary's women's basketball team (13-11) had a joyful Senior Day, securing a victory over the Macalester Scots (12-13) in their final home game of the season. In the home finale, 11 players contributed to the scoring in a 67-58 victory.

With tonight's win, the Saint Mary's women's basketball team secured the sixth seed in the postseason tournament and will travel and face Hamline in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, February 25th, at 8:00 p.m.

After a remarkable season turnaround—from not winning a conference game in 2023-2024 to earning a spot in the MIAC Playoffs—the Cardinals are thrilled to be part of something special.

Brianna Nusbaum led the Cardinals in scoring with 13 points and added three steals. Rylie Sternquist also contributed significantly with 12 points, making 5-of-9 field goals and pulling down eight rebounds. Kali Olson was a standout on the boards, securing 11 rebounds, including 10 defensive, while also adding eight points to the team's total. 

Sternquist opened the game for the Cardinals with a three-pointer at 9:29, assisted by Nusbaum. The Cardinals then went on a 6-0 scoring run, highlighted by Olson's tip-in at 5:27 and layup at 4:44, extending their lead to 9-4. The team maintained a 14-10 lead at the end of the quarter. 

Macalester responded in the second quarter with consecutive jumpers at 9:34 and 8:50, narrowing the score to 15-14. However, the Cardinals then went on a scoring streak, highlighted by a three-pointer from Nusbaum at 7:36 and another from Emma Mann at 4:12, extending their lead to 25-15. 

The quarter concluded with the Cardinals continuing to control the game, scoring a total of 19 points compared to Macalester's 10, ending with a fast-break layup by Alyssa Coleman at 1:02.

After halftime, the Cardinals quickly expanded their lead with a 5-0 run, beginning at the 9:34 mark, as Olson capitalized on a turnover by the Scots. Nusbaum added a layup and a free throw to push the team's advantage. Koch contributed significantly with multiple layups, including a fast-break score at 8:12 that brought the lead to 39-21. 

Macalester struggled to close the gap despite several free throws and a layup at 5:30. The Cardinals maintained control with efficient shooting, including a three-pointer from Nusbaum at 6:39, securing a 54-31 edge in the game.

In the final quarter, the Cardinals began with a layup by Lettner at 9:35 but Macalester started to creep back in with a series of successful layups and free throws, closing the gap to 58-42 by 7:12. 

Despite Macalester outscoring the Cardinals 25-13 in the final quarter, the home team managed to secure a 67-58 victory, aided by key three-pointer by Tessa McMahon and free throws in the last five minutes.

Tickets for the quarterfinal games will go on sale Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. Tickets for the semifinals will be available to the general public at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26. All tickets for the 2025 MIAC Playoffs will be sold and purchased online via HomeTown Ticketing. There will not be cash sales at any venue; however, spectators can purchase tickets using a mobile device, including while at the venue. General admission adult tickets are $12 (plus HTT service charge). Student (with ID) tickets are $3 (plus HTT service charge), and children ages five and under are admitted free.