NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Aiana Whitfield (Sr./Richfield, Minn./Benilde St.-Margaret's) had 17 points, leading four Knights in double figures, but the Carleton College women's basketball team fell to rival St. Olaf College, 74-66, at West Gym on Monday.
 
St. Olaf (9-10, 6-10 MIAC) jumped out to the early 11-2 lead, but Carleton (6-12, 5-11 MIAC) responded. From the end of the first frame and into the early portion of the second, the Knights put together a 19-6 run that was capped by three consecutive 3-pointers from Whitfield, the reigning MIAC Offensive Player of the Week. That outburst gave Carleton a 21-17 lead, and the Knights extended their advantage to a half dozen with 6:43 remaining before halftime. St. Olaf answered back with a 9-2 spurt and re-gained the lead, 31-30, heading into the break.
 
The Oles started the second half with an 11-3 run, including six points by Rachel Kelly, who put up a game-high 25 points on the night and continued to give the Knights trouble around the basket. Now trailing 42-33, Whitfield scored seven points as Carleton closed the third quarter on a 13-6 spurt to pull within 48-46.
 
An Emma Henry (Jr./Prior Lake, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels) layup knotted the score at 48-48 early in the fourth quarter, but the Oles took over as they put together a 12-2 run and led by at least seven points the rest of the way.
 
Jasmine Choi (Jr./Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo) tallied 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals for the Knights, who also received 10-point performances from Henry and Bella Thomas (So./Minneapolis, Minn./DeLaSalle).
 
Carleton shot 38.1 percent overall and 31.8 percent (7-of-22) from 3-point range. St. Olaf connected at a 49.1 percent overall, including 56 percent in the second half.
 
While St. Olaf managed to earn a split in the season series, the Knights already had maintained possession of the President's Cup by virtue of their 58-53 triumph back on Jan. 11.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton closes the regular season with five road games over the next six game dates. That stretch begins with a 7:00 p.m. visit to St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minn., this Wednesday, Feb. 1.