A young Bees team faced an early-season test.

John Kerr's put-back with two seconds left in overtime lifted St. Ambrose to a 97-95 win at Clarke on Friday, the first day of the Holiday Inn Express Tip Off Classic in Dubuque, Iowa.

The next day, SAU fell to No. 9 Indiana East 87-77.

Kerr's last-second game-winner capped an overtime full of momentum swings. The Bees took a 90-86 lead in the extra session on a Lee Hardrick jumper with 3:53 to go. Clarke (0-1) responded with seven straight points to take a 93-90 lead with under two minutes left.

Dylan Kaczmarek missed a 3-pointer and the Pride appeared to be in great shape after tracking down the rebound, but Jake Meeske stole the outlet pass and his layup brought the Bees back within a point. After two Clarke free throws, Meeske tied the game and capped his career-high 30-point night with a deep three inside the final minute.

Clarke missed on its shot for the lead and Kerr came up with a steal after the Pride grabbed an offensive rebound. Hardrick had the first chance for the win but his effort was off the mark before Kerr put in the game winner. Clarke's desperation half-court shot at the buzzer was well off.

Regulation featured some big momentum swings as well. The Pride led 14-2 but behind Meeske's 17-point first half, St. Ambrose battled back and ultimately took a 13-point lead late in the half.

The lead grew to 14 points in the second half and remained at 10 with just over seven minutes left. Clarke made a late charge to tie the game with 28 seconds remaining and Meeske's missed a shot late as the game moved to overtime.

Meeske finished 10-of-18 from the floor, and 5-of-9 from 3-point range, in scoring 30. Warren Allen (14 points), Kerr (12) and Greg Wagner (11) all reached double figures off the bench. Kerr also grabbed a team-best eight rebounds.

Saturday, St. Ambrose was unable to hold on to a fast start against one of the nation's best.

A 3-pointer from Hardrick and seven quick points from Meeske helped the Bees to a 16-6 lead against IU East. Michael Williams scored inside to push the lead to 23-12 eight minutes in.

The Red Wolves recovered to build a 46-42 halftime lead. Holding a 48-47 lead early in the second half, IU East went on a 17-3 run to take control at 65-50 with 13 minutes to play.

The deficit was as large as 18 points before SAU made a run. A Wagner triple closed the gap to 77-70 with 2:46 remaining before the Wolves scored the game's next six points to seal the win.

Kaczmarek led St. Ambrose with 12 points. Meeske scored 11 and Hardrick netted 10.

The Bees (2-1) will play their home opener Wednesday night against Mount Mercy. Tip off is slated for 7:30 p.m.