Swarming defense leads Bees to victory

Boxscore

DAVENPORT, Iowa – The No. 2 ranked St. Ambrose Fighting Bees (23-3, 7-1) shut down all offensive avenues, as they caused 26 turnovers in a 93-55 drumming of Franciscan University (4-19, 1-7). The swarming defense allowed only a 33.3% field goal percentage for Franciscan and the Bees also outrebounded the Saints 46-33. The win was the eighth in a row for the Fighting Bees and marked the 399th victory of Coach Ray Shovlain's 21 year career.

The Fighting Bees eeked out to an early 7-6 lead before they erupted with a 23-2 run over a seven minute span. During the run the Bees caused eight Saints turnovers and controlled the game with an up and down fastbreak tempo. St. Ambrose rolled into the half leading 46-27.

After trailing by as many as 24 in the first half, the Saints were able to trim the Bees lead to 14 with 11:44 left. Matt Fitzpatrick would quickly give the Bees the momentum back with a 3-point play to put the Bees up 17. The Saints were never able to make another run, with St. Ambrose controlling the rest of the game. The Bees finished the game on a 20-5 run over the final 6:25 to post a 93-55 win.

Karl Petersen and Matt Fitzpatrick both post double-doubles. Petersen scored 20 points and added 10 rebounds, while Fitzpatrick scored 13 points and dished out 12 assists. Ben Erwin led the Saints with 24.

St. Ambrose travels to Viterbo on Saturday to play at 3 p.m. 

Return to Men's Basketball Home