St. Ambrose was led by Caitlyn Thole and Abby Wolter in a conference showdown in Lee Lohman Arena as both combined for 43 points. SAU built as much as a 14-point lead against the V-Hawks of Viterbo (10-5, 3-4 CCAC) to hang on and shoot free throws late for a 72-68 win. This moves the Bees to 5-9 overall and 3-4 in conference play.

The Bees found themselves on the board after two free throws from Olivia Harter at the 7:21 mark in the first period. The V-Hawks played St. Ambrose close throughout as an Allie Govert 3-pointer gave the Bees their largest lead of the quarter at six points with just over a minute and a half to play in the quarter.

Viterbo also splashed in a trey to end the quarter with a three-point difference in the opening period.

Wolter knocked down a bucket just before Viterbo answered back with a layup for themselves to keep the game close.

The Bees always had an answer for the V-Hawks who were knocking on the door all game while St. Ambrose fought to extend their lead.

With a little over two minutes before halftime, the Bees looked to Wolter and Thole once again for buckets. Both delivered as Thole knocked down one from beyond the arc to extend SAU's lead by five which allowed the Bees an eight-point buffer. Only until Viterbo scored on a traditional three-point play to find themselves back in striking range.

Right before half, foul trouble started to haunt the Bees. Thole fouled a 3-point shooter who converted all three free throws with only 25 seconds left on the clock. Then, Wolter strided down the court for a last second layup to end the half and leave SAU in good spirits going into halftime with St. Ambrose leading 40-34.

The first three buckets of the second half belonged to St. Ambrose as Mary Gruber dropped in a trey and Wolter and Thole converted layups. St. Ambrose led now by 13. Viterbo answered with a few free throws.

A string of scores by Payton Calouette and Wolter extended the lead for the Bees to 14. With the 54-40 lead and foul trouble nearing, the Bees defense looked to lock in.

Viterbo went on an eight-point run to close out the third period and make it a two-possession contest.

Two Viterbo layups dropped in less than a minute into play of what would be the final period of play. It was a one-point game until Harter converted a clutch free throw with 8:19 remaining on the clock.

Thole came up big for her squad with a jumper only 30 seconds before her night ended as she picked up a fifth foul. Wolter scored on a layup right before Viterbo found two points.

St. Ambrose called a timeout to regroup. Then, Wolter again scored for the Bees as Govert followed up with a free throw. From there on out it was free throws for SAU as they only shot 58% throughout. 

Thole (22) and Wolter (21) combined for 43 points in the victory. Thole was one rebound short of a double-double. Wolter was also credited with six rebounds, five assists, and a block.

Calouette and Govert each dropped in nine points for SAU. Calouette also registered eight boards, four assists, and two blocks. 

Harter pulled down six boards and dished out three assists along with Gruber. 

SAU shot just shy of 43% from the field as a team to fend off the V-Hawks 72-68 to build momentum for this weekend's match at Indiana South Bend. Tip off is set for 1 p.m. in the Student Activities Center in South Bend, Ind. This will be the first game of the conference basketball doubleheader.