After last-second shots defeated the Bees twice already this season, St. Ambrose finally got one to go its way Wednesday night.

Michael Knoll hit a free throw with 17 seconds left to break a 70-70 tie, and Culver-Stockton missed two shots at the end, including a 3-pointer that rimmed out in the final seconds, as the Bees defeated the Wildcats 72-70.

SAU rallied from a seven-point deficit over the final five minutes to get the win to improve to 3-6 on the year.

With the game tied at 70-70 inside the final minute, Knoll tracked down an offensive rebound off a Sam Ainsworth miss and was fouled. After missing the first from the line, Knoll knocked down the second to put the Bees in front.

After a CSC timeout, the Wildcats had two chances. The first jumper was off the mark but the rebound was knocked out of bounds and Culver-Stockton maintained possession with four seconds left. Following another timeout, the Wildcats had a decent look at a three from the wing but it spun out and Knoll corralled the board with 0.1 seconds left. He made the first free throw before purposely missing the second as time expired.

After weathering a slow start that saw the Bees fall behind 16-7, SAU was able to get back into the game from beyond the arc. Geordon Hetherton, Tanner Reid and Eric Dust each hit two threes in the opening half to help St. Ambrose build as large as a seven-point lead before settling for a 36-32 lead at the break.

The second half was back and forth until the Wildcats pulled ahead 66-59 with 5:30 to play. But for the first time in three chances, SAU was able to pull out a close win. St. Ambrose lost its season-opener to then-No. 15 Mount Mercy 72-71 on a shot at the buzzer and fell to conference foe Cardinal Stritch 73-71 on a jumper with four seconds left.

Jacoby Posley scored 14 of his team-high 16 points in the second half. Heatherton added 14 points and four assists. Ainsworth finished with a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds. Reid also hit double digits, finishing with 10 points.

The Bees return to CCAC play Saturday afternoon with a game at Indiana South Bend. The men's game is scheduled to tip off at 2 p.m. Central time.