Facing No. 4-ranked Clarke, a team they lost to by 40 on opening night, the Bees showed just how much improvement they have made in the early going of the season. SAU trailed by four points late before ultimately falling 90-78 in Dubuque, Iowa, Friday night.

The Bees fell behind 34-24 after one quarter before outscoring the nationally-ranked Pride in both the second and third periods in the team's final game of the calendar year.

Then, after falling behind by as many as 15 points midway through the fourth, St. Ambrose made a final charge. Abby Wolter, Caitlyn Thole and Kaitlyn Brunson each converted a layup before Brunson knocked down a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 79-73. After a Clarke free throw, Thole buried a jumper, and following a Pride basket, Thole hit a three to cap a 14-3 run and pull SAU to within 82-78 with just over two minutes remaining.

But on the Pride's next possession, the undersized Bees, who were outrebounded 40-25, gave up an offensive board, leading to a Clarke layup that made the score 84-78.

St. Ambrose (2-8) didn't get a shot up on its next two possessions. Clarke (12-0) turned back-to-back turnovers into layups to build an 88-78 lead. The Pride added two late free throws to account for the final score.

Along with the rebounding gap, St. Ambrose was also whistled for 21 fouls allowing Clarke to earn an 18-4 scoring advantage from the line.

Wolter finished 11-of-15 from the floor to lead SAU with 26 points. She also grabbed a team-best seven rebounds. Thole finished with 15 points while Kashell Daughty (12 points) and Brunson (10) also finished in double figures.

Payton Calouette came off the bench to contribute seven points. Elly Doe and Caroline Cool each scored three points and Kania Starks netted two. Cool handed out a team-high five assists.

The Bees will return to action Jan. 6 when they host Governors State in a CCAC contest.