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| Sally Linzmeier cuts to the
rim for two of her team-high 21 points in UW-Superior's
win. Photo by Larry Radloff, D3photography.com |
Five ranked women's teams were eliminated from the conference tournament in the semifinals on Thursday night, including an upset winner in the WIAC tournament.
- Men's conference tourney tracker
- Women's conference tourney tracker
- Men's scoreboard
- Women's scoreboard
- Wednesday's wrapup
- Final public regional rankings
After running the table in the WIAC during the regular season, No. 11 UW-Whitewater lost its first game in the conference playoffs. UW-Superior stunned the Warhawks in a lopsided 84-63 road win. The Yellowjackets shot 58 percent from the floor while UW-Whitewater shot 32 percent. Four of the UW-Superior starters scored double figures.
The Yellowjackets will travel to UW-Oshkosh for the WIAC tournament final. The Titans cruised past UW-Stevens Point 68-44, likely ending the Pointers' season and guaranteeing that no one will have home court advantage at this year's national semifinals held in Stevens Point.
No. 2 Hope will have a familiar foe in the MIAA finals. The Flying Dutch, who defeated Adrian, will play Calvin since the Knights knocked off No. 18 Olivet, 80-76. Breanna Verkaik, the younger sister of last year's Player of the Year Carissa, led Calvin with 27 points and 14 rebounds.
Whitworth rolled past No. 13 George Fox in the NWC semifinals, 74-55. The Pirates made just 18 field goals, but converted 30 of 33 free throw attempts. George Fox has a strong case for an at-large bid, opening the possibility that the NWC could get three teams in the NCAA tournament. No. 1 Whitman will certainly be there, and the Missionairies will be in the NWC final, too. They ousted Puget Sound, 77-66.
No. 15 St. Thomas shot 50 percent from the floor and defeated No. 25 Concordia-Moorhead, 71-56. Kelly Brandenburg scored 19 points for the Tommies, who will face No. 17 St. Mary's (Minn.) in the MIAC final. The Cardinals clobbered Bethel, 94-63.
No. 24 Ohio Northern topped No. 22 John Carroll 80-71 in the OAC semifinal. Jordan Kimes tallied 30 points and 12 rebounds while Cenzie Yoder broke the school and single season record for assists.
No. 20 Christopher Newport erased a six-point deficit with four minutes to play and Nicole Mitchell hit the game-winning shot as the Captains tipped Salisbury, 73-72. Christopher Newport will play No. 12 York (Pa.) in the CAC final.
Kelly Fraser scored 28 points and grabbed 21 rebounds for her 20th double-double of the season, leading Mount St. Vincent past Skyline top-seed Farmingdale State, 76-59.
Men's recap
John Carroll edged Mount Union 83-81 in the OAC semifinal, possibly popping someone else's NCAA tournament bubble. The Purple Raiders were ranked fifth in the NCAA's most recent Great Lakes regional rankings.
Christopher Newport struggled down the stretch in the CAC regular season, but the Captains are sailing through the conference tournament. They eliminated No. 10 Wesley 59-54 from the CAC tournament and will face No. 17 Mary Washington on Saturday. The Eagles beat St. Mary's (Md.) 70-65 for their third close win over the Seahawks this season.
The USA South Athletic Conference tournament opened with a major upset. Greensboro eliminated tournament host Maryville (Tenn.) 91-83. The Pride improve to 12-14 while the Scots' season likely ends at 18-8.