Sub-40 percent shooting and 23 turnovers were too much for St. Ambrose to overcome in a 77-67 loss to Holy Cross (Ind.) Saturday afternoon.

The Bees shot just 37.7 percent from the floor in falling to 8-5 overall and 3-3 in the CCAC.

Thanks to holding the Saints to less than 39 percent shooting, the Bees still had their chances. SAU cut what was once a 10-point deficit to 65-61 on two Maddy Cash free throws with 1:35 remaining. But Holy Cross (7-8, 3-3 CCAC) scored on its next possession, and after a Cash miss, the Saints knocked down a back-breaking 3-pointer with a minute left.

Holy Cross added five more points to complete a 10-0 run that sealed the win.

The loss came after a good first quarter for the Bees.

Despite the shooting struggles that plagued the team throughout the game, St. Ambrose closed the opening quarter with six straight points, five of those coming from Cash, to grab a 17-11 lead.

SAU led by as many as seven points on a Jaynee Prestegaard jumper late in the second quarter before settling for a 31-26 lead at the half. The lead was still at six points at 41-35 on a Cash three midway through the third. But the Saints outscored the Bees 14-4 over the final five minutes of the third to take a 49-45 lead into the final frame.

Holy Cross extended the lead to double figures and closed out the win with the big run late.

Cash led all scorers with 19 points. She finished 3-of-4 from beyond the arc while the rest of her teammates were 0-of-8 on threes.

Madeline Prestegaard finished with 16 points and nine rebounds. Jaynee Prestegaard added 10 points, eight boards, four steals and a pair of blocks. Anna Plumer also scored in double figures, dropping in 10 points. Jamie Martens added six points, four rebounds and a team-leading three assists.

The Bees will return home to host Trinity Christian Monday at 5:30 p.m.