CLINTON, Iowa - If this was the last stand for the Ashford University men's basketball senior class, then what an ending it was.

Daniel Joiner of West Chicago, Ill., Brandon Cole of Milwaukee, Wis., and Byron Emerson of Rockford, Ill., each started and made key contributions on Senior Night as the Saints edged rival St. Ambrose University (17-12, 8-7 MCC), 88-83 on Wednesday.

Emerson (20) and Joiner (23) combined for 43 points, Cole helped the Ashford offense get on track early and a host of teammates rallied to their aid.

Sophomore Rashad Carrington of Milwaukee, Wis., chipped in 13 points and sophomore Peter Tanzillo of Kewanee, Ill., contributed eight, including a thunderous dunk along the baseline in the second half.

But even on their special night that included a pre-game ceremony, all three deferred to sophomore forward Matthias Burns of Chicago for the biggest play of the game.

Burns stood his ground and drew a charging foul on Justin Tiner with 10 seconds remaining and hit a pair of free throws at the other end to thwart the Fighting Bees' final rally attempt and send the home crowd into a frenzy.

"Everyone stepped up tonight," Emerson vouched. "You could see the look in everyone's eyes that they wanted to win this game for us."

"It hit me pretty hard tonight that it might be my last game on our home court," he added. "I thought I'd be emotional, but it was more about being happy and having great memories out here with my teammates."

The fans were again the unsung sixth man for the Saints, rattling SAU's Mike Kennedy enough to miss a pair of potential game-tying free throws with 1:21 to go.

Kennedy scored 30 of his game-high 38 points in the second half.

The Saints (19-10, 10-5 MCC), who received votes in the NAIA Top-25 poll for the second straight week, improved their record in Kehl Arena to 12-3. Ashford now has a shot to become co-regular season champions in the tumultuous Midwest Collegiate Conference standings with a win on Saturday at Mt. Mercy College.

And with a win in the regular-season finale comes another possible home game in the MCC Tournament, maybe as host.

"If we're able to get a win on Saturday, we get a chance to come home again," Joiner said. "It's exciting to think about as we get focused for Mt. Mercy."

The Saints compiled a 10-win season in Midwest Collegiate Conference play for the first time in school history under the direction of Head Coach Andy Eberhart, who is making a strong bid to become the MCC Coach of the Year.

"This was a good team win and all three of our seniors had great moments tonight," Eberhart said. "We were fine at halftime, reviewed the game plan and just emphasized to keep playing hard out there."

The Saints broke open a 35-35 tie at the break with a 13-0 run to open the second half.

But the Fighting Bees rode the coattails of Kennedy's hot shooting in the second half. The SAU big man hit six treys and accounted for 30 of the Fighting Bees' 48 points in the final period to keep his team in contention.

The Saints made more than enough free throws in a foul-plagued second half to hold off St. Ambrose until the final buzzer.

"To get this win, especially against our rival, meant the world," Joiner said. "I wanted it real bad. We owed them a win, but basketball is a game of runs. Every game is different."

Cole made a layup and grabbed a pair of rebounds in his first start while at Ashford. Still rehabilitating from a knee injury, he reflected on his lone year in a Saints' uniform after transferring from Dakota State University.

"It meant a lot to me to get that start tonight," Cole said. "Coach (Eberhart) gave me an opportunity and it felt good to help my team in those couple of minutes that I was out on the court."

The Saints close out the regular season schedule on Saturday at Mt. Mercy College. Ashford defeated the Mustangs in Kehl Arena earlier this year.

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