St. Ambrose came up with several big plays down the stretch to hand Indiana Northwest, the hottest team in the CCAC, a 76-65 loss in Lee Lohman Arena Saturday afternoon.

And fittingly, a group of seniors led the way on Senior Day in the Bees' final regular-season home game of the year.

After leading nearly the entire way, the Bees watched a RedHawks team that entered on a nine-game winning streak grab a 53-51 lead midway through the second half. Following a timeout, St. Ambrose responded.

Ignacio Dacunda and Grant Mason scored back-to-back baskets to give SAU a lead it would not relinquish. After an IUNW free throw, Dacunda hit a 3-pointer to build a 58-54 edge. Guillermo Narbona followed with a three of his own to up the lead to 61-54 with six minutes left.

On multiple occasions, Indiana Northwest (16-10, 13-5 CCAC) climbed to within three points, but each time, St. Ambrose had the response.

Inside the final three minutes, Jake Friel knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers, each one coming after the RedHawks had climbed to within three. His final three gave the Bees a 71-65 lead with 90 seconds remaining.

IU Northwest did not score again. Will Spriggs had a layup and Friel hit a free throw, before the senior duo combined on an alley-oop dunk with Friel finding Spriggs for the final points of the game.

Before the game, St. Ambrose (13-13, 10-8 CCAC) recognized its nine seniors - Friel, Spriggs, Nathan Moeller, Ty Slager, Evan Walsh, Tanner Irey, Jake Kaczmarek, Jackson Marker and Jordan Robinson. The five varsity seniors - Friel, Spriggs, Moeller, Slager and Walsh - started and helped the Bees get out to a fast start.

Spriggs led SAU with 18 points. Dacunda finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds and Collin Wainscott scored 11 to give the Bees three players in double figures.

Friel and Walsh each scored nine. Narbona netted five, and Moeller, Mason, Atem Agot and Ryan Kenney added two apiece.

St. Ambrose will visit Saint Xavier Wednesday.