St. Ambrose built a big lead and then held on late for an 89-84 win over Simmons (Ky.) Saturday afternoon on the final day of the Calumet Wave Classic in Whiting, Ind.

The Bees couldn't miss in the opening half, knocking down 20-of-29 field-goal attempts, a 69-percent clip, in taking a 51-33 lead at the break.

But after the lead ballooned to 53-33 after Guillermo Narbona started the second half with a layup, SAU watched that lead disappear.

It took less than 10 minutes for Simmons (1-3) to pull even at 61-61. The Falcons went on to establish a 66-63 lead with 8:55 left.

SAU came right back. Nolan Deitrich buried a three to tie the game before Ignacio Dacunda got free for a layup for a 68-66 lead. Another defensive stop led to a pair of Narbona free throws and a 70-66 advantage. Razak Sudani capped the 9-0 run with a layup of his own to extend the lead to 72-66 with 6:41 to play.

Simmons pulled to within 81-80 with just over two minutes left, but Narbona tracked down his own missed shot and converted inside for a three-point lead. A Falcon turnover led to a Dacunda layup and an 85-80 lead.

After a Simmons basket cut the margin back to three, Kieran Farrell threw down a dunk to restore the five-point advantage. The Falcons got within three one final time before two Dacunda free throws with nine seconds on the clock sealed the win.

Behind the big first half, St. Ambrose (1-1) shot better than 60 percent from the floor. The Bees were 12-of-27 from 3-point range, and outscored the Falcons 44-24 in the paint.

Dacunda led four Bees in double figures with 20 points. He was 8-for-11 from the floor and added six rebounds and nine assists.

Narbona was 8-of-12 from the field in scoring 19 points. He grabbed eight rebounds and handed out five assists.

Farrell came off the bench to hit all seven of his shots, including three 3-pointers, in scoring 17. Collin Wainscott also hit three threes in finishing with 11 points.

Sudani and Deitrich each contributed nine points. All nine of Deitrich's points came from 3-point land. Nolan Sexton added three points and Zane Witt scored one in the win.

SAU will visit Mount Mercy Wednesday.