St. Ambrose picked the wrong game to endure a tough shooting night. Playing the defending national champions and current No. 7-ranked Clarke Pride, the Bees shot just 29 percent from the floor in a season-opening 95-55 loss at Lee Lohman Arena.

With several new faces in the lineup, SAU got off to a good start with Caitlyn Thole starting the scoring with a layup and Kashell Daughty knocking down a 3-pointer for a fast 5-2 lead in the opening minute. Those would prove to be the only two field goals of the quarter for the Bees as the team misfired on its next 14 attempts. The only other St. Ambrose points in the frame came on four Daughty free throws as Clarke (1-0) opened a 21-9 lead after the first quarter.

Payton Calouette ended the drought with a three to open the SAU scoring in the second period. But despite getting good looks for much of the night, the Bees struggled to score.

Despite a strong fourth quarter, St. Ambrose connected on just 20-of-69 attempts from the floor in the game. That included a 5-of-29 mark (17.2 percent) from beyond the arc. The Pride shot nearly 53 percent from the floor and hit 11-of-23 (47.8 percent) from 3-point range.

Daughty led SAU with 16 points. Thole, who battled foul trouble all contest, scored nine points on 4-of-4 shooting. Calouette came off the bench to also score nine. Kania Starks finished with eight points, Abby Wolter netted seven, Caroline Cool scored four points and Aryelle King dropped in two.

The Bees were also hurt on the boards, getting out-rebounded 53-29. Wolter grabbed a team-best five boards while Calouette pulled down four. 

SAU returns to action next Wednesday with a game at Missouri Baptist.