NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Amelia Solt (Fy./Loveland, Colo./Thompson Valley) poured in a career and game-high 25 points, but the Carleton College women's basketball dropped a 57-55 contest to Luther College 57-55 in the Knights' home opener. The back-and-forth contest came down to the final seconds.
 
The lead changed hands seven times in the opening quarter alone. Luther (1-0) scored the game's first four points, but Carleton (1-1) answered with six consecutive points. Later, the Knights trailed 12-9 before Bella Thomas' (So./Minneapolis, Minn./DeLaSalle) jumper sparked a 10-2 run to that gave Carleton a 19-14 lead after the first period.
 
The Knights found themselves with a 22-16 lead early in the second frame, but the Norse responded with an 8-0 spurt to moved back in front. Carleton would play from behind the rest of the period and faced a 27-24 halftime deficit. The Knights went 1-of-13 from the field in the quarter, but Luther was not much better at 3-for-14.
 
The second half opened with two consecutive steals by Emma Henry (Jr./Prior Lake, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels), the first springing Solt for a bucket, and Henry converted two points of her own on the second, pushing Carleton back in front, 28-27.
 
The Norse opened up their largest lead of the game, 40-33, with a little over three minutes left in the quarter. Solt scored seven of Carleton's next nine points as the hosts pulled within 44-42 heading into the final quarter.
 
Aiana Whitfield's (Sr./Richfield, Minn./Benilde St.-Margaret's) 3-pointer early on put Carleton back in front, and Henry converted in the paint to extend the lead to 47-44. An 8-1 Luther run gave the visitors a four-point lead with six minutes remaining, but both defenses stiffened.
 
Henry drained two free throws and Solt hit her fourth triple of the game, inching Carleton back ahead at 53-52 with three minutes still to play.
 
Jordan Rubie drained a key 3-pointer with 1:39 still on the clock to give Luther a 57-53 lead. Whitfield answered with a layup to make it a two-point game and give the West Gym faithful hope.
 
Carleton forced Luther into three turnovers on three possessions down the stretch, but the Knights missed a pair of shots and the Norse escaped with the narrow win.
 
Whitfield joined Solt in double figures, scoring 15 points to go along with four rebounds and three steals. Henry contributed six points, nine rebounds, and five steals.

Rubie had a team-high 19 points to pace the Norse, while Kailey Jones had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Carleton shots 36 percent overall and 35 percent (6-of-17) from beyond the arc. Luther made 33 percent of its shots and went only 4-of-22 from long range (18 percent) but had a 7-0 edge in second-chance points thanks to 15 offensive rebounds.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton heads to Arden Hills, Minn. to take on Bethel University in the MIAC opener for both squads on Wednesday, Nov. 16.