The Saints (7-11, 1-6 MCC) dropped their fifth straight game, but led by as many as four with just under four minutes left in the first half.
The Queen Bees (18-3, 6-1 MCC) hoisted up more than 30 attempts from the field by Ashford and launched 41 threes while making just 10. Megan Cash led three SAU players in double digits, finishing with 12 points.
Senior Bethany Mahmens of Goose Lake and Clinton's Whitney Miller were a combined 10-of-12 from the floor. Mahmens continued her hot play as of late, coming off a 6-for-6 outing from the floor in a home loss versus Waldorf College.
In the last two games, Mahmens has connected on 11-of-12 field goal tries with the majority of her points coming from inside the paint.
The Saints seemingly had all the answers to SAU's 2-1-2 zone early on, capitalizing on ball movement and shot selection to carve out a narrow lead and tantalize the thought of an upset special.
Led by a plus-eight rebounding margin, the Saints were all over the court in the first half, diving for loose balls, tying up opponents for jump ball situations and jumping in the lane while anticipating passes.
But 30 turnovers began to take its toll on the second half and the Saints eventually wore down.
SAU standout Ali Dolphin left the game midway through the second half with an apparent knee injury, but the Queen Bees got their offensive spark going soon after.
After Dolphin's absence, St. Ambrose had their lead swell into double-digits as Jennifer Lickteig sandwiched in back-to-back three pointers off the bench to highlight a 14-4 Queen Bees' run.
All-MCC soccer dynamo Ashley Dexter also played a key role, scoring seven of her 10 points inside a six-minute window in the second half to lead the Ambrose charge.
Dolphin and Dexter each finished with 10 points apiece.
Mahmens recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds go along with her team-high 14 points. Miller finished 12 and hit the glass hard from her guard position with six rebounds.
Ashford hosts Mt. Mercy College on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Kehl Arena to continue Midwest Collegiate Conference action.
