The Columbia College women’s basketball team defeated No. 18 McKendree College 79-75 on Tuesday night in Lebanon, Ill., in an American Midwest Conference game.
The Cougars took over first place in the AMC.
Columbia led 44-32 at halftime, but McKendree (17-6, 6-1) came out strong in the second half, taking a two-point lead midway through. Coach Mike Davis said Columbia College (16-7, 7-0) regained the lead behind the strong play of juniors Lisa Kowalewski, Tiffany Foote and Charliss Ridley.
Ridley led Columbia College with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Foote added 22 points and Kowalewski had 17 points and six assists. The Lady Cougars shot 53 percent compared with 36 percent for McKendree.
The Cougars dropped to No. 9 in the NAIA poll.
Columbia (21-2, 2-1) was previously ranked No. 5, but lost to McKendree College on Thursday.
The Cougars are ranked No. 13 in the NAIA preseason poll after finishing last season at No. 6 and 37-15. In her 10th season at Columbia College, Wendy Spratt coaches a team that returns All-American catcher Amy Seipp and All-American pitcher Monica Mueller, along with five others.
The Cougars play their first game at 2 p.m. Feb. 25 at home against Truman State.