A poor third quarter cost St. Ambrose in a 66-55 loss to the College of the Ozarks Wednesday at Lee Lohman Arena.

The Bees trailed just 30-23 at the half but surrendered the first seven points of the third period. They trailed by double figures the rest of the way.

In that fateful frame, SAU shot just 4-of-13 from the floor, including an 0-for-3 effort from beyond the arc. Ozarks (18-5) hit 9-of-18 overall and 3-of-7 from 3-point range in outscoring the Bees 21-10. That extended the Bobcats' lead to 51-33.

Ozarks pushed the lead to 27 points midway through the fourth before St. Ambrose battled back late. Anna Plumer hit three 3-pointers in the final quarter to help the Bees ultimately fall by only 11 points.

The Bees suffered through a rough offensive night. They shot just 29.0 percent from the floor (20-of-69) and 26.7 percent on threes (4-of-15). SAU limited the Ozarks to 37.9-percent shooting, which kept the Bees in the game until the third quarter.

Plumer shook off a slow start to finish with a team-high 18 points. She hit four 3-pointers in the loss. Abby Wolter and Jaynee Prestegaard each posted a double-double. Wolter finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds while Prestegaard had 11 points and 11 boards. Caitlyn Thole netted 10 points.

Olivia Harter scored the only other Bee point.

SAU, now 16-9 overall, will return to CCAC play Saturday with a game at Holy Cross.