NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College women's basketball team turned in a spectacular effort at the defensive end and saw big contributions from rookie guards Audrey Whitney and Addy Huss, but the Knights' upset bid fell short in a 54-48 loss to Concordia College-Moorhead, a squad that was nationally ranked earlier this season.
 
"I'm proud of our effort today and also the adjustments we made as the game went along," said Carleton head coach Tammy Metcalf-Filzen. "There are lots of positives to take away from today's contest as we learn, grow, and prepare for the next game."
 
The Cobbers (10-5, 5-3 MIAC) came into the contest ranked second in the nation in three-point shooting, cashing in a remarkable 39.4 percent of their attempts from long range. The Knights' (2-13, 1-7 MIAC) match-up zone limited Concordia to just 5-of-30 from behind the arc (16.7 percent) and forced 12 Concordia miscues. The Knights held the Cobbers nearly 20 points below their season average of 73.7 points per game.
 
After falling behind 13-4 to start the contest, the Knights used an 8-0 burst—all by first-years—to cut it to a one-point game at the end of the first quarter. A jumper from Huss to start the second gave the Knights a 14-13 lead.
 
The offense cooled off, and the Knights faced a 29-20 deficit going into the locker room for halftime.
 
Carleton, which out-scored Concordia 28-25 in the second half, trailed 38-30 heading into the final stanza.
 
With 6:51 left in the game, Nayeli Williams converted a layup to trim what had once been a 10-point Cobber down to four at 42-38. The Cobbers then scored six straight to rebuild their double-digit lead, and the Knights' late rally came up short.
 
Whitney had a game-high 19 points to lead Carleton, which saw a double-double from Huss, who had 11 points and 12 rebounds. Selma Vangstein contributed nine points, while Liesl McCallum chipped in six points and 10 boards.
 
Concordia received double-digit scoring efforts from Carlee Sieben and Makayla Anderson with 18 and 16 points, respectively.
 
As a team, the Knights shot 19-of-51 (37.3 percent) from the field, 3-of-13 (23.1 percent) from deep, and 7-of-12 (58.3 percent) from the line.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton hosts St. Catherine University on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.