After seeing Calumet close to within a point at 30-29, St. Ambrose first-year coach Zac Exume turned to his bench. And the Bees never looked back. The SAU reserves scored the team's final 25 points to spark a 55-47 win Wednesday night in Lee Lohman Arena.

Elly Holubar made a free throw, Payton Calouette hit two from the line and followed with a layup, and Allie Govert knocked down a 3-pointer as St. Ambrose (5-13, 5-8 CCAC) went on an immediate 8-2 run to open up a 38-31 lead.

The margin was nine points entering the fourth quarter. After Calumet (1-18, 0-13 CCAC) scored to open the period to get within 44-37, SAU went on another big run. 

Kania Starks buried a three, Holubar scored three in a row, and Starks capped the 8-0 spurt with a layup as the lead ballooned to 52-37. The lead remained in double figures until the game's final minute.

The eight Bees who played off the bench (Holubar, Calouette, Govert, Starks, Olivia Harter, Caroline Cool, Aryelle King and Liz Fish) combined for 27 points and 31 rebounds.

Holubar led the way with 10 points and five rebounds. Calouette scored six and grabbed a team-high seven boards. Starks scored five and Govert and King each netted three. Harter pulled down six rebounds while King finished with five boards and four assists.

Abby Wolter's free throw that opened the third-quarter scoring proved to be the final point from a St. Ambrose starter. Kashell Daughty scored eight points, Caitlyn Thole had seven, Wolter and Kaitlyn Brunson each threw in five points and Elly Doe added three.

The SAU defense limited CCSJ to less than 33 percent shooting overall and just 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from 3-point range. The Bees also finished with a 45-31 rebounding advantage.

St. Ambrose will hit the road to visit Judson Saturday.