Fighting Bees Sting Eagles         

The Fighting Bees came into Tuesday’s game with something to prove after dropping a tough game to Bellevue over the weekend. The Bees face one of the most difficult schedules in school history and went up against last season’s NAIA Division II runner-up Robert Morris College (4-2). The No. 19 Fighting Bees (4-1) took a 9-point lead into halftime, while shooting 50% from the field and out rebounding the Eagles 20-17. Leading the way with 6 points each was Tom Pavljasevic and Curtis Clark.

Robert Morris came out ready to play in the second half by cutting the lead to 4. With 9:30 remaining, junior point guard Jason Geering hit a 3-point field goal putting the Fighting Bees up 7. This shot may have been the biggest of the game, with the Fighting Bees never looking back. Geering, Cory Daniel, Ryan Johnson and Nick Ferreira provided the Fighting Bees with a spark by contributing key minutes in the game.   

The momentum continued as Theo Williams was hit with a technical foul, which Matt Fitzpatrick converted into two free throws putting the Fighting Bees up 10 with 7:35 remaining. The Fighting Bees kept the pressure on the Eagles as Fitzpatrick stole a pass from Williams, passed to Karl Petersen  who assisted Pavljasevic for the dagger.

St. Ambrose never looked back and took home a 79-68 victory. The Fighting Bees were lead by Pavljasevic’s 19 points and 9 rebounds, Fitzpatrick’s 17 points and 7 assists and Petersen’s double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. St. Ambrose controlled the glass, out rebounding the Eagles 43-33 and shot 42.9% from behind the arc.

The Fighting Bees improved to 4-1 on the season and play No. 19 St. Francis Saints in Joliet on Tuesday. They return home for the Pepsi Challenge for games on Friday and Saturday night.

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