It wasn't always pretty but St. Ambrose powered past Indiana Northwest 52-48 in Gary, Ind., Saturday afternoon.

The Bees shot just 34.6 percent for the game but outscored the Redhawks 12-3 from the line to move to 10-6 overall and 5-4 in the CCAC.

SAU recovered after enduring a first quarter in which they hit just 2-of-14 shots from the floor and trailed 11-8. In a game that neither team led by more than six points, IU Northwest (3-11, 1-3 CCAC) led 37-31 midway through the third. But five points from Presley Case and a three-point play from Sarah Goldensoph keyed an 8-2 run to close the frame to pull the teams even at 39-39 entering the final frame.

After the Redhawks opened the fourth with a free throw, the Bees scored nine of the game's next 11 points. A layup from Abby Lundquist gave St. Ambrose a 41-40 lead. Maddy Cash followed with a 3-pointer as part of five quick points, and two free throws from Jamie Martens gave SAU its largest lead at 48-42.

IU Northwest twice got to within two points late, the last time at 50-48 inside the final minute. But Martens split the defense for a layup with 15 seconds remaining to seal the win. The Redhawks missed a long three in the closing seconds and Martens grabbed the rebound and ran out the clock.

Jaynee Prestegaard led St. Ambrose with 12 points, all of those coming in the first half. She also grabbed eight rebounds.

Martens finished with nine points, five rebounds and three assists. Lundquist came off the bench to score nine points.

Three different Bees - Cash, Case and Madeline Prestegaard - each added five points. Goldensoph pulled down eight boards in the victory.

The win was SAU head coach Krista Van Hauen's 200th career victory at the helm of the Bees.

St. Ambrose returns home to host Roosevelt Monday at 5:30 p.m.