Pair of second-half runs push Saints past Bees
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Holy Cross (5-4, 1-2) | 15 | 17 | 27 | 26 | 85 |
|
St. Ambrose (IA) (2-6, 0-3) | 15 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 67 |
Holy Cross put together a pair of second-half runs to pull away for an 85-67 win over St. Ambrose in Lee Lohman Arena Saturday afternoon.
The two runs, a 14-0 spurt in the third quarter and a 9-0 run in the fourth, ultimately proved to be the difference.
The Bees, who trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half, were able to get within 32-29 at the half as Caitlyn Thole and Abby Wolter combined for the final six points of the half.
Payton Calouette and Olivia Harter opened the second half with back-to-back 3-pointers to give SAU a 35-32 lead. St. Ambrose (2-6, 0-3 CCAC) led as late as 43-41 and were tied at 45-45. That's when Holy Cross (5-4, 1-2 CCAC) went on its first run.
Fourteen straight points put the Saints in front 59-45. A Mary Gruber free throw with four seconds left in the third ended the streak and cut the margin to 59-46 entering the final period.
The Bees battled back and a Calouette jumper trimmed the deficit to 70-62 midway through the fourth. But the next nine points belonged to the Saints, as they opened up a 79-62 advantage with just over two minutes remaining. The lead remained double digits the rest of the way.
The Bees were out-rebounded 46-33, leading to the Saints gaining a 19-5 edge in second-chance points.
SAU was also hurt from the line. Both teams attempted 25 free throws. Holy Cross made 21 while St. Ambrose hit just 12.
The Bees had three players finish in double figures. Calouette led the way with 19 points. Wolter scored 16 and Thole added 13.
Erica Bostwick came off the bench to contribute eight points. Harter finished with five points, Gruber had four and Elly Doe ended with two.
Wolter led the team with seven rebounds and five assists. Thole grabbed six boards. Harter handed out four assists.
St. Ambrose will host Calumet next Saturday.