St. Ambrose was never able to recover from a sluggish first half and lost for the sixth time in seven games, a 76-69 setback at Calumet St. Joseph Saturday afternoon.

In a game they never led, the Bees hung around early before falling behind 20-11 midway through the opening half. The deficit was double digits a few minutes later and at 35-25 at the half.

In the first half, SAU shot just 10-of-26 from the floor and 1-of-11 from 3-point range. The Bees also only converted on 4-of-9 free throw attempts over the first 20 minutes.

St. Ambrose (11-8, 7-4 CCAC) made a few runs in the second half, including one in the opening minutes.

Baskets from Michael Williams and John Kerr cut the margin to 35-29 but Calumet St. Joseph (4-13, 3-8 CCAC) answered right back with a three-point lead before extending the lead back to double figures.

With SAU trailing by 11 with 13 minutes left, Kerr hit 3-of-4 from the line and Kyle Rohr knocked down a three for a 6-0 run to reduce the deficit to 49-44. But over the next six minutes, the Bees managed just three points - a free throw from Warren Allen and two from Kerr - as the Crimson Wave reopened a 60-47 advantage with 5:44 to play.

St. Ambrose finally got going offensively, scoring 12 points over the last 87 seconds, but by then it was too late. Calumet hit 11-of-12 free throws over the final two minutes to close out the win.

SAU shot just 39 percent from the floor in the loss. The Bees were 5-of-27 from 3-point land and were outrebounded 48-35.

Kerr led all players with 21 points and he grabbed a team-best nine rebounds. Tom Kazanecki (14 points) and Allen (10) each came off the bench to finish in double figures. Dylan Kaczmarek chipped in with nine points.

The Bees will return home to host St. Francis (Ill.) Wednesday night.