Thole recognized before Bees take down Saints
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Holy Cross (9-8, 5-4) | 9 | 12 | 10 | 23 | 54 |
|
St. Ambrose (IA) (8-8, 5-3) | 20 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 67 |
Playing at home for the first time since scoring her 1000th career point, Caitlyn Thole was recognized before St. Ambrose defeated Holy Cross 67-54 Saturday afternoon at Lee Lohman Arena.
Thole, who hit the milestone in a Dec. 6 win at Mount Mary, was honored in a pregame ceremony and then went out and padded her scoring total with 15 points in the win over the Saints.
She was one of three Bees to score in double figures as outside an early 3-2 deficit, SAU led virtually the entire way.
Leading just 9-7 midway through the opening quarter, St. Ambrose (8-8, 5-3 CCAC) closed the period on an 11-2 run. Thole (five points), Abby Wolter (four) and Jayla Stirgus (two) each scored during the spurt that extended the Bee lead to 20-9.
Behind a defensive effort that limited Holy Cross (9-8, 5-4 CCAC) to less than 30 percent shooting from the field, St. Ambrose continued to pull away.
The lead was 39-21 at the half, grew to as many as 24 points late in the third, and sat at 53-31 entering the final quarter.
The Saints made things interesting late, getting within 10 points at 62-52 with 90 seconds remaining. Wolter and Thole combined for three free throws to create a 65-52 lead with just over a minute left.
Holy Cross was just 16-of-54 from the floor, including a 3-of-18 mark from beyond the arc.
Wolter led the Bees with 22 points, 14 rebounds, five steals and four assists.
Thole finished with her 15 points, giving her 1072 points in her four-year SAU career. She also grabbed seven boards and came up with four steals and a blocked shot.
Stirgus also scored in double figures, finishin with 10 points.
Payton Calouette netted six points to go along with eight rebounds. Olivia Harter and Erin Jolin each scored five points. Elly Doe and Mary Gruber dropped in two points apiece.
St. Ambrose will visit No. 16 St. Francis Wednesday.