St. Ambrose wasn't able to maintain a fast start and dropped its CCAC opener at Judson 66-61 Wednesday night.

The Bees shot 50 percent from the floor and hit 3-of-7 from 3-point range in the opening quarter to take a 19-14 lead. SAU shot better than 45 percent in the second period to build a 33-23 lead at the half.

Anna Plumer knocked down a 3-pointer to begin the third quarter to give St. Ambrose its biggest lead of the game at 36-23. Then it all started to unravel.

After Plumer's triple just 20 seconds into the third, the Bees scored just 11 more points the rest of the frame. Judson (1-1, 1-1 CCAC) chipped away and pulled within 44-41 late in the quarter before another Plumer three restored a 47-41 lead entering the fourth.

Two Jaynee Prestegaard free throws handed St. Ambrose a 56-52 lead with just over four minutes remaining. But the Bees would only score five more points the rest of the way. SAU got only one Caroline Cool free throw during a 13-1 Judson run that saw St. Ambrose go 0-for-4 from the field and commit two turnovers. Abby Wolter stopped the run with an offensive rebound and putback but that came with only 19 seconds remaining and the Bees still trailed 65-59. Two Plumer free throws trimmed the deficit to 65-61 with 13 seconds to go before the Eagles ended the scoring with a free throw in the final seconds.

In that decisive fourth quarter, SAU shot just 3-of-15 and committed four turnovers. The Bees were outscored 25-14 to drop to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

Plumer hit 3-of-6 from beyond the arc in scoring a team-high 15 points. Kylie Wroblewski scored 13 and grabbed eight rebounds. Wolter came off the bench to contribute 12 points and eight boards.

Prestegaard threw in nine points and Mel Stewart added seven points and five assists. Abby Lundquist and Cool each handed out three assists.

SAU will return home to host Roosevelt Saturday at 1 p.m.