The Columbus Wildcats scored an Area Game of the Week split last night in Pekin, as the Lady ‘Cats toppled the Lady Panthers by a final of 55-39 to move to 7-0 in the SEISC North, while the Wildcat boys fell to the Panthers 63-35.

Things opened tight in the girls contest with a slim 18-15 Columbus advantage after one quarter of play. However, the ‘Cats would use a 13-2 run in the second frame to push their lead to 14 at the break. The Wildcats would be able to weather the storm in the second half, scoring 14 in the third and 10 in the fourth to win by a comfortable 16 points.

Unofficially, Pekin would outrebound Columbus 36-24, but committed 20 more turnovers than their counterparts from Columbus. Seven Wildcats scored in the contest, including 17 from junior Isabel Rendon. Pekin was led by Anna Hadley’s 10.

After the game, Columbus senior Ariana Vergara joined KCII Sports to go over her team’s performance in the win. “One thing that really helps lead us toward success is coming back and going to practice. Taking practices as the real deal and being able to bring it on the vans and bring it to wherever we’re going to compete,” Vergara said.

Columbus Head Coach Kasey Keltner also spoke with KCII Sports postgame to give his thoughts on the win. “My girls did a good job. They played hard for four quarters, and that’s what we needed tonight,” Keltner said.

The Columbus girls are now 9-1 overall on the season, and the aforementioned unbeaten mark of 7-0 in the Superconference North. Pekin falls to 3-4 overall and 3-4 in the SEISC North ahead of a matchup with Highland tonight.

In the boys contest, it was Pekin flipping the script from the girls contest to capture the doubleheader split. The Panthers got out to a three-point lead after one, which swelled to nine points by halftime. The game got away from Columbus in the third period, as Pekin used a 23-9 run to put things out of reach.

Unofficially, Pekin outrebounded Columbus 30-19, and committed 11 fewer turnovers. Ellis Hills-Carrier was the Wildcat leader with 18 points, and Pekin was led by Cole Millikin’s 21.

The Wildcat boys are now 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the SEISC North, while Pekin improves to 4-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play ahead of their matchup in Riverside tonight against the Huskies of Highland. The Area Game of the Week will follow the Columbus boys and girls to WACO tonight for a conference doubleheader.