Turnovers on their first three possessions set the tone for the Bees in a 90-64 loss to No. 21 Saint Xavier Wednesday night at Lee Lohman Arena.

St. Ambrose committed a total of 23 turnovers in falling to 5-3 overall and 1-1 in the CCAC.

Eight of those turnovers came in the opening quarter, yet the Bees trailed just 20-18 thanks to seven points from Madeline Prestegaard and four points and six rebounds from Jaynee Prestegaard.

Saint Xavier (4-0, 2-0 CCAC) opened up a double-digit lead in the second quarter and held a 45-37 lead at the half. The Cougars took advantage of four quick Bee turnovers to open the second half with a 12-2 run to build a 57-39 lead.

Two free throws from Anna Plumer and back-to-back baskets from Mel Stewart and Olivia Cantu cut the SXU lead to 62-48 with just over two minutes remaining in the third. But the Cougars extended the lead to 71-52 at the end of the frame and quickly pushed the advantage over 20 points in the opening minutes of the fourth.

Along with taking advantage of the SAU turnovers, Saint Xavier shot better than 46 percent from the field. St. Ambrose, meanwhile, shot just 38 percent in the loss.

Madeline Prestegaard led the Bees with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Jaynee Prestegaard also posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards.

Stewart and Plumer each scored seven points and Abby Lundquist netted six.

St. Ambrose will face another ranked for next Wednesday when the Bees visit No. 12 St. Francis (Ill.).

Videos below courtesy SAUtv

Madeline Prestegaard with an offensive rebound and putback

Jaynee Prestegaard spins free for a layup

Jaynee Prestegaard ties the game at 18-18

Anna Plumer hits a corner 3-pointer

Abby Lundquist beats the halftime buzzer with a long three