SAU drops season-opener to No. 20 Briar Cliff
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
St. Ambrose (IA) | 24 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 77 |
|
#20 Briar Cliff (IA) | 30 | 19 | 17 | 31 | 97 |
For slightly more than three quarters, St. Ambrose went toe-to-toe with the 20th-ranked team in the country. But the Bees ran out of gas in the fourth quarter in falling to Briar Cliff 97-77 Saturday on the first day of the Briar Cliff Classic in Sioux City, Iowa.
Olivia Harter opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer to cut the SAU deficit to 66-63. The margin remained three when Payton Calouette scored to make the score 68-65 with just over eight minutes remaining.
But the Bees would not score over the next three minutes as the Chargers went on a 9-0 run to open a 77-65 advantage. Caitlyn Thole knocked down a three to end the drought but Briar Cliff scored on its next possession and maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way.
Abby Wolter led St. Ambrose with 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
Caitlyn Thole narrowly missed a double-double, finishing with 12 points and nine boards.
Jayla Stirgus also reached double figures, scoring 11 points. Hayley Flores scored nine and Calouette added eight.
Erin Jolin came off the bench to score six points. Harter added three and Mary Gruber finished with two.
The Bees will finish play in the Briar Cliff Classic Sunday afternoon against Midland.