Behind Madi Epperson's career-high 26 points, St. Ambrose started its trip to Arizona with a 73-50 win at Park-Gilbert Tuesday night.

Epperson was 11-of-18 from the floor and knocked down four 3-pointers in seven attempts. She got rolling early, coming off the bench to score 10 first-quarter points to stake the Bees to a 22-10 lead.

The lead was 41-20 at the half thanks to a Madeline Prestegaard basket in the final seconds of the second quarter.

St. Ambrose (6-7) maintained control throughout the second half with Park (5-9) getting no closer than 13 points over the final three quarters.

Epperson was one of three Bees to score in double figures. Prestegaard scored 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting and Kylie Wroblewski dropped in 10. Charlotte Flynn and Gabrielle Koelker each contributed six points.

The Bees shot better than 46 percent from the floor and completely shut down the Buccaneers. Park shot just 20 percent (6-of-30) in the opening half, allowing St. Ambrose to break things open early. Park finished at 28.8 percent shooting for the game.

SAU also finished with a commanding 52-34 rebounding advantage. Jaynee Prestegaard grabbed 10 of those rebounds. Epperson pulled down six while Madeline Prestegaard, Colleen Grady and Anna Plumer each hauled in five.

Jamie Martens and Maddy Cash each recorded three assists and Martens added three steals in the win.

The margin would have been bigger but the Bees misfired on 12 of their 20 free throw attempts.

St. Ambrose will conclude the Arizona trip with a game at Embry-Riddle Thursday night.