Macalester led first-place Carleton for most of the first 35 minutes against Carleton at the Leonard Center, but the Knights came on strong down the stretch to win 72-68 and remain tied with St. Thomas for first place in the MIAC.

Pierce Peters (So., Glenwood, Minn. / Minnewaska Area) netted 25 points to pace the Scots (2-22 / 2-17 MIAC). The Scots led for nearly the entire first 35 minutes before the Knights turned it on down the stretch to remain tied with St. Thomas for the top spot in the MIAC standings.

The Scots led 35-26 at the break by shooting 50% and getting nine points from Holden Bigler-Johnson (Sr., Austin, Tex. / Anderson).  Bigler-Johnson was 3-for-3 from behind the arc. 

Macalester's advantage stood at 10 points at 47-37 with 13:11 left in the second period.  The Knights rallied and tied the score at 54-54 with 5:50 left.  From that point the lead was never greater than four until CC nailed a pair of free throws with :15 left.

Mac shot 48% on the night and made 10-of-19 from long range. However, the Knights led 16-4 in offensive rebounds and 15-9 in turnovers.

In addition to picking up 25 points from Peters, the Scots received 12 points from Kyle Hamblett (Sr., Paris, France / American School of Paris) and nine apiece from Bigler-Johnson and Justin Wasik (Fy., Park Ridge, Ill. / Maine South).  Colin Keeley added eight points.  Chris Quinn (Fy., Medford, Mass. / Beaver Country Day) handed out five assists and Wasik added four.

Seth Jonker scored 10 of his career-high tying 26 points in the final three minutes and became Carleton's newest member of the 1000-point club.  Jeremy Sutherland helped out the cause with 18 points, five assists and four steals.  Jonker also dished out four assists.

The Knights (17-7 overall / 16-3 MIAC) have won six in a row and 10 of the last 11 games. Carleton led 29-6 in second chance points.

Macalester's season-finale is Saturday (Feb. 19) at Bethel.