Mount Mercy scored the game's final six points to defeat St. Ambrose 59-56 Wednesday night in Lee Lohman Arena.

In a back-and-forth fourth quarter, the Bees had captured a 56-53 lead with 1:35 left on back-to-back baskets by Erin Jolin and Abby Wolter. But SAU would not score again.

Mount Mercy (4-3) scored on its next possession to get within a point, and following an SAU turnover, the Mustangs scored again to go up 57-56 with 35 seconds remaining.

Caitlyn Thole missed a 3-pointer that would have given the Bees the lead, which led to two Mustang free throws with four seconds on the clock. Another Thole three in the final seconds was off the mark.

Thanks to forcing 19 turnovers, St. Ambrose (3-3) was able to attempt 17 more field goals than Mount Mercy. However, the Bees made just three more shots than the Mustangs. SAU finished 23-of-69 from the floor (33.3 percent) while MMU shot 20-of-52 (38.5 percent).

The Bees really struggled from 3-point range, shooting just 5-of-29 from beyond the arc. The Mustangs knocked down eight of their 27 3-point attempts. Mount Mercy also finished with an 11-5 edge in points off free throws.

The loss came after a strong start.

Behind 10 Hayley Flores points, the Bees led 20-13 after one quarter. A Thole layup gave SAU its largest lead at 27-13 with 2:41 left in the first half. But MMU scored the final nine points of the half to get within 27-22 at the break. The Bee lead was just 46-45 entering the final frame.

Wolter led St. Ambrose with 17 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocked shots. 

Flores finished with 14 points and Thole added 13 to give SAU three players in double figures. Thole added six rebounds and five steals in the loss.

Payton Calouette scored four points, Olivia Harter and Mary Gruber each scored three and Erin Jolin finished with two points and four boards.

The Bees will return to CCAC play with a game at Indiana Northwest Saturday.