(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 13)—The McKendree College women’s basketball team suffered its first American Midwest Conference loss of the season with an 84-73 setback Saturday at home against Columbia College.

 

The Bearcats nearly overcame a 17-point deficit in the second half, but Columbia, the No. 23-ranked team in NAIA Division I, was able to hold off the McKendree rally. The loss snapped a three-game win streak for McKendree, which dropped to 10-6 overall. The Bearcats are now 1-1 in AMC action.

 

Senior forward Emily Hart (Columbia, Ill./Columbia) (Columbia, Ill./Columbia) led McKendree with 20 points, including 12 in the second half. Hart also had a team-high 10 rebounds. Senior guard Katie Hasheider (Okawville, Ill./Okawville) (Okawville, Ill./Okawville) added 16 opints and a game-high nine assists for the Bearcats, while senior forward Suzy Gerler (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) posted 12 points.

 

Columbia broke open a close game with six consecutive points to build a 21-12 lead midway through the first half. McKendree battled back and closed the gap to 21-15 before the Cougars regained control with a 9-0 spurt late in the period to grab a 39-23 advantage with 3:50 left in the period. Columbia eventually took a 41-27 lead at the intermission.

 

The Cougars eventually stretched their lead to 48-31 in the early stages of the second half before McKendree started its rally. A 6-0 run helped the Bearcats cut their deficit to single digits, 59-50, with 11:07 to play. McKendree continued to chip away at the Columbia lead, and pulled to within 69-64 on a pair of free throws by Hasheider with 5:16 remaining.

 

However, Columbia was able to maintain its lead down the stretch, and made six free throws in the final minute to pull away for the win.

 

McKendree returns to AMC play Thursday at Harris-Stowe State University. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. in St. Louis.