John Kerr netted a double-double as the Fighting Bees defeated East-West University 83-62 Saturday afternoon at the Southland Center in Lynwood, Ill.

St. Ambrose (1-0) jumped out to an early lead with Kerr scoring eight of the team's first 10 points. The margin was only four until an 8-0 that included a free throw by Kerr, a layup by Michael Williams, a three point play from Kerr, and a jumper by Jake Friel pushed the lead to 12 with five minutes left in the first half. The Bees would take a 36-19 lead into the locker room.

The second half was more of the same with SAU scoring the first six points to push the lead to 20. A Nathan Moeller three-pointer with over four minutes left in the game brought the lead up to 25. The Phantoms (0-1) responded with six straight points to cut into the lead, but a Ben Schols dunk stopped the run. SAU would ultimately win by 21, 83-62.

The Bees shot 61.3 percent (19-of-31) in the second half, and made 51.6 percent (32-of-62) of their attempts on the night. St. Ambrose held East-West to 7-of-21 in the first half, but the Phantoms were able to shoot 45.7 percent (16-of-35) in the second.

Kerr finished 14-of-18 from the field and led all players with 31 points and 12 rebounds. Tom Kazanecki chipped in 12, Schols and Friel each had 9, and Williams added 8 points and 7 rebounds. Cameron Kalmas and Warren Allen were perfect from the free throw line to add to the Bees point total.

Brandon Daugherty and Ben Muth led the way for East-West, each scoring 16 points.

SAU is scheduled to return to action on Friday, November 6th at 7:30 p.m. against Grand View.