St. Ambrose used a 14-0 run late in the first half to defeat Missouri Baptist 75-55 Monday night at Lee Lohman Arena.

The win gave the Bees their first 3-0 start to a season since the 2014-15 team opened the year with four straight victories.

Jake Friel and Ben Schols each hit a 3-pointer to open the decisive spurt against the Spartans. Friel and Schols each scored five points during the run that broke an 18-18 tie and built a 32-18 lead.

A Will Spriggs layup late in the half gave St. Ambrose a 40-23 edge at the break.

Missouri Baptist (4-4) cut the margin to eight points at 57-49 with just over six minutes to play. But Dylan Kaczmarek immediately answered with a 3-pointer, and after a steal, Schols hit 1-of-2 from the line to extend the lead to 61-49. Warren Allen followed with a three-point play before Schols and Tom Kazanecki each scored to push the advantage to 68-49 and sealing the win.

Schols scored a game-high 20 points, finishing 7-of-11 from the field and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Kaczmarek and Spriggs also scored in double figures, eaach finishing with 11.

Kazanecki dropped in nine points, John Kerr added eight points and a game-best 10 rebounds, and Friel had seven points and four assists.

The Bees shot better than 46 percent from the floor, including a nearly 41-percent mark from 3-point range. They limited the Spartans to 34-percent shooting and a 9-of-34 mark on threes. SAU also forced 18 turnovers in the win.

The win started a busy stretch for St. Ambrose. SAU is scheduled to play a total of four games over the next seven days, continuing with a home game against St. Francis (Ill.) Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Videos below courtesy SAUtv

Ben Schols hits a 3-pointer that opens up a 16-11 lead

Jake Friel finds Will Spriggs for a layup and a 40-23 lead late in the first half

John Kerr drives in for a 70-51 lead