St. Ambrose slowed No. 13 St. Francis (Ill.), but the Bees couldn't muster enough offense in a 51-40 loss to the Saints in Joliet, Ill., Monday night.

SAU limited USF to 29.1 percent shooting, including less than 26 percent in the second half. But turnovers were the difference as the Bees were charged with 22, allowing the Saints to attempt 15 more shots than the Bees.

Five of those turnovers came in the opening quarter as St. Francis (17-2, 5-0 CCAC) built an early 18-10 lead.

St. Ambrose (7-4, 3-2 CCAC) did not go away, and four straight points from Jaynee Prestegaard to open the second half, pulled SAU to within 25-21.

But that would prove to be as close as the Bees would get. Prestegaard started the fourth quarter with back-to-back layups to trim the deficit to 38-33 with just under nine minutes remaining, but the Saints scored the next five points as part of a larger 9-1 run to grab a 47-34 lead midway through the period. SAU was unable to get closer than nine points the rest of the way.

Prestegaard was the lone Bee to score in double figures, finishing with 10 points. She also grabbed seven rebounds.

Madeline Prestegaard scored seven points and pulled down a game-high 11 boards. Anna Plumer also scored seven points while Jamie Martens came off the bench to net six.

The Bees will take a break from conference play when they host Lincoln Christian Wednesday.