[Women's Basketball] SAU opens CCAC play with 63-53 win at Judson

St. Ambrose got the new year and CCAC play off to a good start as the Bees opened conference play with a 63-53 win at Judson Saturday afternoon.

Sisters Madeline and Jaynee Prestegaard each scored in double figures and SAU relied on its defense to improve to 5-2 overall.

The Bees limited the Eagles to less than 35 percent shooting and held them scoreless (0-of-6) from beyond the arc in grinding out the victory.

St. Ambrose outscored Judson in each of the four quarters but didn't open up a double-digit advantage until building a 53-42 lead on a Maddy Cash layup midway through the final quarter. Two minutes later, Sarah Goldensoph knocked down a jumper for a 57-44 edge.

But then the Bees went scoreless over the next two minutes allowing the Eagles to put together a 7-0 run to climb to within 57-51 with just over one minute remaining.

Cash made the first of two free throws to push the margin to seven points. She missed the second but Madeline Prestegaard grabbed the offensive rebound and scored to extend the lead to 60-51. Cash and Jaynee Prestegaard combined for three free throws over the final 14 seconds to secure the win.

SAU shot better than 45 percent from the floor thanks in large part to Madeline Prestegaard, who was 7-of-9 from the field in scoring a game-high 15 points. She also led all players with eight rebounds.

Jaynee Prestegaard netted 12 points.

Cash scored six points; Jamie Martens, Mel Stewart and Goldensoph each had five; and Abby Lownik and Avari Everts each finished with four points.

SAU will return home to host No. 21 Saint Xavier Wednesday night.