The Columbus girls basketball team ended the first part of their season with a tough setback, falling to the Pekin Panthers on the road Thursday 56-55.

The Panthers led 7-5 at the end of the first quarter and held a 27-23 lead going into the locker room. Columbus turned the tables in the third quarter, going on a 19-8 run that lasted the entire third period to grab a 42-35 lead going to the fourth. In the final frame the Panthers exploded for 21 points, erasing the deficit and stealing the come from behind win. The Wildcats were led by Shania Boyd’s 26 points, Bailey Stroud had 11. With the loss the Wildcats are now 5-4 on the season.