After allowing Trinity International to knock down four 3-pointers in the opening quarter, St. Ambrose rediscovered its defensive identity in a 60-51 win Wednesday night in Lee Lohman Arena. The victory gave the 6-0 Bees their best start to a season in 30 years.

The Trojans (2-3, 0-3 CCAC) hit four of their first seven attempts from beyond the arc in leading 18-13 after that first quarter. The SAU deficit was 20-13 a minute into the second.

But after those first 10 minutes, the Bee defense dominated. 

After shooting nearly 47 percent from the field in the first, the Trojans shot just 12-of-42 (28.6 percent) the rest of the way. And that 4-of-7 start on threes? TIU hit just 2-of-19 from 3-point range over the final three quarters.

SAU (6-0, 4-0 CCAC) drew even at 29-29 at the half and despite falling behind 37-32 midway through the quarter, the Bees took the lead for good in the third. Two Kylie Wroblewski free throws put St. Ambrose in front 40-39, and after a Trinity turnover, Maddy Cash buried a three for a 43-39 lead. A Cash layup in the closing seconds gave the Bees a 45-41 lead entering the fourth.

Cash continued her mini-run in the final frame, starting the scoring with a jumper for a 47-41 advantage. Madeline Prestegaard then scored inside to extend the lead to eight points. Back-to-back layups from Wroblewski and Cash put the lead in double figures at 54-43 with just under five minutes remaining.

TIU made a final push to get within six with two minutes left but Wroblewski answered with a basket inside and Prestegaard hit two from the line to restore a 59-49 lead inside the final minute.

Jaynee Prestegaard led St. Ambrose with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Wroblewski added a double-double of 12 points and 10 boards.

Cash came off the bench to drop in 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Madeline Prestegaard and Anna Plumer, who connected on a pair of triples, each scored seven points. Shayne Smith added four points and a team-leading four assists.

SAU's six straight wins to open the season are the most since the 1991-92 team started 14-0.

The Bees will put their winning streak on the line Saturday with a conference road game at Trinity Christian.