A visit from conference-leading St. Thomas is not what any of the five teams battling for the final MIAC playoff spot would want this late in the season. But after melting down late after taking the game to the Tommies for most of the night, the Scots fell to St. Thomas, 67–56, on Wednesday night.

The loss, the Scots' second heartbreaker to St. Thomas this year, puts Macalester (9–13, 7–10 MIAC) outside the playoff picture. One game behind sixth-placed St. Olaf, the Scots will likely have to win their remaining three games to return to the playoffs.

The Scots got off to a shaky start in front of the large crowd at the Macalester Gymnasium, turning the ball over in their first two possessions as the Tommies took an early lead. But the Scots bounced back with an 8–0 run and the lead would continue to swing in both directions until the end of the game.

From the outset, the game was dominated by post play, with Adam Denny '04 squaring off against Mark Paulson on most possessions. However, as the first half settled down, the Scots' outside players came through with big shots. A three-pointer from Patrick Russell '03 started a 9–0 run for Macalester which ended on a breakaway lay-up by Erik Jackson '04 to give the Scots a 28–23 lead.

The Scots took their biggest lead of the game when two-guard Will Moeller drilled a 20-footer with 2:50 left to make the score 35–27. The Tommies cut the lead to 35–32 at the half, but the Scots left the court to rapturous applause from the home crowd.

St. Thomas, however, came out in the second half with a much more physical approach, as Paulson and Mark Fitzgerald added buckets on the low post to put St. Thomas up 42–37 after four minutes.

After coach Curt Kietzer called time out to hinder the Tommies' momentum, the Scots stormed out to a 10–0 run. Another three from Moeller with 12:43 left gave Macalester a 47–42 lead.

The game then took yet another turn, but this time, the Scots were unable to retake the lead. Fitzgerald stepped out and sank a three, then added a dunk with 8:48 remaining to give St. Thomas a 53–47 lead after an 11–0 run. Macalester answered right back as Jackson drilled a three, but the Scots' play started to break down.

Conference MVP candidate Ben Van Thorre '04 and Denny played in the second half in foul trouble, but with the Scots trailing, they needed their veterans in the game. However, with Macalester down 58–52, Van Thorre picked up two fouls in two possessions to foul out of the game with 5:05 left, scoring only four points in the game.

Without one of their most clutch players, the Scots lacked aggressiveness on offense and could not put together a big run. Then, with 2:59 on the clock, Denny picked up his fifth foul and was also called for a technical.

Despite the home crowd's attempt to will the Scots back into contention, one could sense that the game was slipping away from the beloved home team. The Scots continued to struggle on offense, and on defense without Denny at center, but were unable to stop Paulson.

With 51 seconds left, Fitzgerald threw down a powerful dunk to put St. Thomas up 65–56 and drive the final nail in the coffin. Sean Sweeney hit two free throws at the end for good measure, and St. Thomas moved one step closer to clinching the first seed in the playoffs with a 67–56 win.

Paulson led all scorers with 21 points, making 10 of his 11 shots from the field. Jackson was the sharpest of the Scots, playing an excellent game at point guard and finishing with 18 points and seven assists.

Despite a bright start after great expectations, Macalester has stumbled down the stretch, losing six of their last seven conference games.

This Saturday, the Scots face St. Olaf in a must-win game. Tip-off is at 3 p.m. at the Macalester Gymnasium.

Macalester's final two games are at home against Hamline (also 7–10 in MIAC play) on Wednesday and at fifth-placed St. John's on Feb. 22.