NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College women's basketball team gave visiting Saint Mary's University all it could handle, but the Knights ultimately dropped a 59-53 decision on Senior Day.
 
Prior to the contest, Carleton (3-20, 2-14 MIAC) recognized the three seniors on the roster: Bella Thomas, Selma Vangstein, and Nayeli Williams. Thomas suffered a season-ending injury in early December, but Vangstein and Williams were both in the starting lineup once again, with the former contributing 10 points.
 
"It was a great day to celebrate the contributions of three wonderful seniors," said Carleton head coach Tammy Metcalf-Filzen. "Nayeli, Bella and Selma are leaving Carleton Women's Basketball in a better place and are taking their Carleton education to places where they will have a huge impact with their families, in their jobs, and in their communities. I'll miss them but am grateful to have had the blessing of working with them, and I can't wait to see what their next chapter brings!"
 
While the Knights celebrated their seniors, it was a trio of first-years who paced Carleton in scoring, as Audrey Whitney and Liesl McCallum had game highs of 14 points, while Addy Huss tallied 11 points.
 
The Knights trailed 50-41 with 7:40 to play in the game, but a 10-0 burst gave them their first lead of the contest at 51-50 with 3:05 remaining after Vangstein drained a pair of free throws.
 
Kali Olson answered the Carleton run by scoring the game's next five points, and Lindsey Lettner drained a 3-pointer with 0:22 remaining to help seal the win for Saint Mary's (11-11, 9-7 MIAC).
 
McCallum picked up her seventh consecutive double-digit scoring effort with 14 points, six boards, and two blocks, while Whitney scored all of her points in the final 12 minutes of action to keep the Knights within striking distance. In addition to the 11 points, Huss notched six rebounds and four steals.
 
The Cardinals started hot, scoring the first six points of the contest, but the Knights had four steals in the opening frame and trailed just 13-10 going into the second.
 
With 4:31 left in the half, the Knights faced a 21-14 deficit, but McCallum scored consecutive old-fashioned three-point plays to pull Carleton within one. The Cardinals closed the opening half on a 10-2 run to carry a 31-22 advantage into the locker room for half.
 
Huss started the second half with five straight points, cutting the deficit to four, but the Knights headed into the final frame facing a nine-point hole, 44-35.
 
Despite the late push by the Knights, Lindsey Lettner hit the dagger three for the Cardinals with 22 seconds to play.

Olson posted a double-double with a team-high 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds for Saint Mary's. She was joined in double figures by Lettner (12 points), Brianna Nusbaum (11), and Rylie Sternquist (10).
 
Though the hosts went the entire contest without a make from distance (0-of-14), the Knights shot 20-of-48 (41.7 percent) from the field and 13-of-16 (81.3 percent) from the line.
 
The visitors were held to 22-of-58 (37.9 percent) from the field, 6-of-26 (23.1 percent) from three, and 9-of-12 (75 percent) from the line.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton closes the home portion of its schedule by hosting No. 8-ranked Gustavus Adolphus College on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m.