The Queen Bees, playing in their eighth game already, jumped out to a 36-23 halftime lead by shooting 60.7 percent from the field and holding the Pioneers to 20 percent.
UWP, with three new starters in the lineup, clawed back within 57-53 on Holly Kaiser's free throw with 3:03 to play. The Queen Bees' Jennifer Goetz, however, turned back the rally with a basket and foul shot with 2:41 remaining to make the score 60-53. The Pioneers could get no closer than five the rest of the way.
Kaiser led all Pioneer scorers with 20 points. Shannon Boatman, the lone senior, made 14 points by hitting 5-6 from the field. Freshman Lisa Wubben added 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Cathy Mangan scored 20 points for St. Ambrose (5-3), while Goetz scored 19.