St. Ambrose shot just over 31% from the field and knocked down only one 3-pointer all evening in the 86-52 loss to Saint Xavier in Lee Lohman Arena yesterday evening. This loss drops SAU to 8-18 overall and 6-13 in conference play.

The Bees opened the game with empty-score possessions and found themselves in a 10-point hole. Two Abby Wolter free throws put points on the board for SAU at the 5:50 mark in the opening period. 

Still SAU continued to lull as Caitlyn Thole's layup at the 5:15 mark were the only points the Bees managed throughout the next minutes of play. This stretch allowed SXU to extend their lead to 22-6 at the end of the first period. 

Offensively, SAU found their offensive stride in the second period as they dropped in 13 scores before halftime to find themselves down 44-19. The Bees only shot 20% from the field and neglected to score a 3-pointer in the game at this point. 

After the break, SAU shot almost 70% from the field as they matched the pace of Saint Xavier. St. Ambrose went point-for-point with the Cougars in the third period and lit up the scoring column. Only three Bees scored in the quarter, but they accumulated large numbers for St. Ambrose.

It took St. Ambrose no time as Wolter connected on a jumper to open the scoring. The Cougars responded, but Mary Gruber sank a jump-shot to keep the offensive fire alive as Payton Calouette added in a layup. Then, time passed between Bee buckets, but Gruber scored on back-to-back possessions before Wolter netted points from the charity stripe. To end the quarter on a high note, Gruber added in two more points for the Bees.

In the quarter, Gruber backed the Bees with 10 points in the period. Wolter added in six scores as Calouette knocked down two field goals to keep St. Ambrose within striking distance. 

To close out the contest, SAU went cold and was outscored by eight in the 86-52 loss. As a team, the Bees pulled down 35 boards on the evening.

Wolter scored a team-high 15 scores as Gruber netted 12. Calouette added in seven. Off the bench, Elly Doe chipped in five while Isabella Hutchinson and Carrieanne Hungate added four. Thole netted four points of her own.

All five starters for the Bees each grabbed at least four boards. Calouette (5), Gruber (5), Olivia Harter (4), Wolter (4), and Thole (4). Hungate also collected five rebounds. 

The Bees will host one final regular-season matchup with conference foe Trinity Christian this weekend in Lee Lohman Arena. The contest is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.