WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. - The (RV) Columbia College women's basketball team dropped an American Midwest Conference (AMC) match up against (RV) Williams Baptist University (Ark.) this evening, falling 67-62.

The Cougars sit second in the conference standings, moving to 18-2 on the season and 12-2 in the AMC. The Eagles hold the top spot in the AMC, holding a 17-3 overall record and a 13-1 AMC record. The lone loss for Williams Baptist in conference play came from Columbia on December 7, 2024 as the Cougars defeated the Eagles, 77-69.

During the first quarter of action, the Cougars and Eagles saw an evenly matched outcome as Williams Baptist led 20-19. Mya Miller secured nine (4-8 FG) first quarter points, while also bringing down two rebounds. Columbia saw 22 shots from the field, shooting nearly 32 percent.

In the second quarter of play, the Eagles took control, outscoring the Cougars 26-11. Williams Baptist went 9-18 from the field, while also shooting 6-6 from the charity stripe. The Eagles went on a 16-0 run before Mallory Shetley added a pair of free throws to head into the half, 46-30.

Abby Backes hit back-to-back three's out of the gates, trying to give the Cougars momentum. Columbia held Williams Baptist to just 18 percent from the field and made the final six points of the third period. The Cougars found themselves within eight to start the final quarter of play, 53-45.

Though Columbia outscored Williams Baptist 17-14 in the final period, it was not enough to prevail. Mallory Shetley secured 12 consecutive points (4-6 FG) for the Cougars in the last quarter of action. The Cougars dropped the contest, 67-62.

Mallory Shetley led all scorers with 22 points (7-16 FG, 8-8 FT), while Abby Backes scored 14 of her own. Lauren Friedrich brought down a season-best 10 rebounds.

Columbia shot 29 percent from the field, 18 percent from three, and 98 percent from the free throw line.

The Cougars return to action on February 1 at 3:00 PM against Crowley's Ridge College (Ark.) in Paragould, Ark.