ST. PAUL, Minn. – Despite Luke Harris joining the 1,000-point club and Sam Koelling scoring a career-high 24 points, the Carleton College men's basketball team could not hold an early lead in an 87-72 loss at Macalester College.
 
It was a tale of two halves at the Leonard Center, as an early lead for Carleton (7-6, 4-4 MIAC) evaporated in the second half. The Knights shot 46.3 percent from the floor overall. They started out hot from the 3-point line but missed their final eight tries from deep to finish 6-of-19 (31.6 percent). Carleton shot 66.7 percent (16-of-24) from the free-throw line and won the rebound battle 33-29. It was a rare turnover-ridden game for the Knights, who lost the ball 20 times, leading to 27 points off turnovers for Macalester (7-6, 3-5 MIAC).
 
In nearly doubling his previous career best, Koelling went 9-of-17 from the field and 3-of-6 from 3-point range. Harris finished with 23 points, while also hauling in seven rebounds and handing out five assists. It was the ninth time this season that Harris tallied at least 20 points. Spencer Goetz tied for the team high with seven boards and also picked up four assists and three steals.
 
Koelling helped the Knights to a fiery start, scoring a transition bucket on Carleton's first possession and nailing a corner three at 17:05 to bookend a game-opening 10-0 run.
 
The Knights continued to start well, and at the 13:07 mark, Harris drove into the lane and finished one of his patented left-handed layups high off the glass. With that bucket, Harris eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for his career, becoming the 31st player in Carleton men's basketball history to reach that figure (see chart below). He finished the game 30th in Carleton history in total scoring.
 
It initially looked like Carleton may take a comfortable win back home, as Matt Banovetz sunk a turnaround jumper at 8:41 to give Carleton its biggest lead at 31-13, but Macalester roared back, finishing the half on a 27-13 run to trailed only 44-40 at halftime.
 
Carleton held a 58-52 advantage with 14:10 still to play, but Macalester went on a 16-0 run over the next five-plus minutes. Carleton trailed by at least seven points the rest of the way.
 
Macalester shot 53.2 percent from the floor, 46.7 percent from three (7-of-15), and 82.4 percent from the free-throw line (14-of-17). Caleb Williams scored 31 for Macalester to lead all players, Kaden Holdbrook notched 21 for the home side, and Coby Gold earned a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Up Next for the Knights:
Carleton finishes off its three-game road set against Saint Mary's University on Saturday, Jan. 13. Tip-off is set for 3:00 PM in Winona.
 
Carleton Men's Basketball 1,000-Point Club
Rank   --   Points   --   Name   --   Years
 1.   --   2,029   --   Zach Johnson (106 G)   --   2005-09
 2.   --   1,967   --   Josh Wilhelm (97 G)   --   1995-99
 3.   --   1,903   --   Gerrick Monroe (105 G)   --   1989-93
 4.    --   1,682   --   Kent Hanson (99 G)   --   2016-20
 5.   --   1,467   --   Dan Forkrud (108 G)   --   2002-06
 6.   --   1,445   --   Kyle Beste (105 G)   --   2001-05
 7.   --   1,440   --   Ivan Grimm (64 G)   --   1958-60
 8.   --   1,438   --   Jeremy Beckler (76 G)   --   2019-23
 9.   --   1,423   --   Kevin Grow (103 G)   --   2014-18
10.   --   1,366   --   Scott Krohn (105 G)   --   1989-93
11.   --   1,356   --   Mark Wandmacher (70 G)    --   1981-84
12.   --   1,300   --   Laurie Slocum (87 G)   --   1951-55
13.   --   1,268   --   Tommy Drake (102 G)   --   2004-08
14.   --   1,246   --   Bryan Rosett (108 G)   --   2006-10
15.   --   1,205   --   Roy Hanson (64 G)   --   1975-79
16.   --   1,196   --   Tanner Schieck (92 G)   --   2000-04
17.   --   1,162   --   Jeremy Sutherland (103 G)   --   2006-11
18.   --   1,155   --   Tom Sawatzke (106 G)   --   2009-13
19.   --   1,136   --   Jim Tolf (59 G)   --   1979-82
20.   --   1,103   --   Jim Lovrien (99 G)   --   1995-98
21.   --   1,102   --   Jake Phillips (108 G)   --   2003-07
22.   --   1,100   --   Scott Theisen (104 G)   --   2009-13
23.   --   1,095   --   Dave Current (62 G)   --   1960-63
24.   --   1,086   --   Leon Smith (60 G)   --   1971-74
25.   --   1,070   --   Scott Christensen (91 G)   --   1999-2903
26.   --   1,068   --   Howard Rosenblum (87 G)   --   1951-55
27.   --   1,050   --   Seth Jonker (108 G)   --   2007-11
28.   --   1,045   --   Michael Armacost (65 G)   --   1955-58
29.    --   1,023   --   Tom Klimisch (99 G)   --   1991-95
30.   --   1,017   --   Luke Harris (63 G)   --   2021-pres
31.   --   1,013   --   August Schlaffer (84 G)   --   1946-50