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| Becky Raeder and the Warhawks are headed home for the WIAC tournament after running past UW-Eau Claire on Saturday. File photo by Larry Radloff, d3photography.com |
UW-Whitewater and Whitman wrapped up home court in their conference playoffs while DeSales and Baldwin Wallace are on the cusp of doing the same after their wins on Saturday afternoon.
No. 4 UW-Whitewater secured at least a share of its ninth WIAC title by shutting down UW-Eau Claire, 57-39. The Warhawks held the Blugolds to 26 percent shooting (12 for 47) and, though Whitewater didn't shoot much better itself at 34 percent, Becky Raeder and Aleah Grundahl combined for 15 points in a third quarter where the Warhawks built a double-digit lead. Grundahl finished with 17 points and nine rebounds for the Warhawks (20-2, 11-1 WIAC), which owns the tie breaker over Eau Claire (15-7, 9-3).
Less than 24 hours after No. 7 Whitman beat No. 18 George Fox to secure a share of the NWC title, the Blues claimed it outright by romping past Pacific, 72-46. Whitman (20-2, 15-1 NWC) broke open the game with a 22-5 third quarter. Makana Stone led the Blues with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Pacific remains tied for second in the conference with George Fox, which fell 75-69 at Whitworth.
No. 25 DeSales handled Misericordia, 74-46, despite missing its top rebounder and scorer. After Misericordia scored the first five points, DeSales scored the next 18 and led the rest of the way. Samantha Shinkus led the way for the Bulldogs (19-4, 11-1 MAC Freedom) with 19 points in a perfect shooting performance from three (3 for 3) and the foul line (4 for 4).
DeSales, which was missing Averi Jordan, is now alone in first in the MAC Freedom after sweeping the season series with the Cougars by a combined 57 points. The Bulldogs effectively have a two-game lead with two to play, one of which comes against one-win Delaware Valley.
Washington College rallied from an 11-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter and stunned No. 22 Gettysburg, 77-76. The Shorewomen used a 13-1 run to jump in front of the Bullets, 76-73, with 33 seconds left. Gettysburg's Carly Rice was fouled while shooting a three and made all three free throws to tie the game at 76. On Washington College's next possession, Cassidy Quattro grabbed an offensive rebound and got fouled with two seconds left. She split her free throws, and that was enough to give the Shorewomen (10-13, 7-11 Centennial) the upset.
Gettysburg's loss gave Haverford a chance to take first place in the Centennial Conference, and the Fords didn't miss it. They beat McDaniel 63-44 as Anna-Sophia Capizzi (24 points) and Megan Furch (20 points) alone equaled the Green Terror's offensive output. The Fords have a one-game lead on Gettysburg with two to play.
Similarly, No. 12 Baldwin Wallace took control of the OAC with a win and some help. The Yellow Jackets topped Capital 60-52 as Hannah Fecht scored 17 points for Baldwin Wallace (21-2, 15-1 OAC). Ohio Northern knocked off No. 21 John Carroll 59-58 on Abby Weeks three throw with two seconds left, dropping the Blue Streaks (19-4, 13-3 OAC) two games back of Baldwin Wallace with two to play.
No. 11 Bethel used a strong third quarter to pull away from Gustavus Adolphus, 82-69, and move another step closer to the MIAC crown. The Royals outscored the Gusties 14-4 over a critical third-quarter stretch that gave Bethel a 52-42 advantage. After Gustavus trimmed the deficit to eight to start the fourth quarter, Bethel scored the next five points and held a double-digit lead the rest of the way. Taite Anderson paced Bethel (22-1, 17-1 MIAC) with 26 points on 11-for-15 shooting.
No. 11 Trinity (Texas) held off Colorado College 60-56 and assured itself of the top seed in the SCAC playoffs. Colorado College led by three entering the fourth quarter and hung with the Tigers the entire game, but Trinity (20-3, 15-1 SCAC) pulled out the victory on a Sam Henry layup and two Emily Daniel free throws in the final 30 seconds. Trinity will finish the season with two games against Schreiner which will also host the conference tournament.
No. 17 Mary Hardin-Baylor made four free throws in the final minute to rally past LeTourneau, 67-64. Hannah Holt scored 23 points for the Crusaders (19-4, 12-2 ASC). No. 20 Texas-Dallas had a much easier time against Louisiana College as the Comets held the the Wildcats to 12 field goals versus 35 turnovers in a 71-40 rout.
The NESCAC tournament is mostly set after Saturday's results. No. 1 Tufts, which had already locked up the top seed, defeated Williams, 76-63, and completed a perfect regular season. Cailin Harrington finished one rebound short of a double-double for the Jumbos (24-0, 10-0 NESCAC) who will host either Bates or Wesleyan next Saturday. No. 6 Amherst coasted by Conn College, 76-52, to secure the second seed and Trinity (Conn.) grabbed the fifth seed with a 74-71 double-overtime win over Hamilton.
The USA South Conference tournament field is also set. William Peace finished conference play with a dramatic win 70-69 win over Greensboro on Jaymesha Sanders' layup with seven seconds left. Sanders was one of four starters to score double figures for the Pacers (22-3, 15-1 USA South), who won the East Division of their conference. Next Saturday they will host the winner of Huntingdon and LaGrange in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament that begins on Wednesday. Berea, which crushed Wesleyan (Ga.) 109-56, will be the West Division's top seed and can host throughout the tournament.
Outside the Top 25, Courtney Carlson posted a double-double (18 points, 13 rebounds) and Emily Farrell scored 19 points in Western New England's 58-49 win over the University of New England. The Golden Bears (20-4, 13-2 CCC) will be the top seed in the Commonwealth Coast Conference after sweeping both games from the Nor'easters.
New Jersey City is headed to the NJAC tournament for the first time in 31 years. The Gothic Knights, who were 0-21 two seasons ago, defeated Rutgers-Camden 54-49 behind an 11-point, 18-rebound performance by Sarah Edmond.
Concordia-Moorhead kept its postseason hopes alive by outlasting St. Catherine 95-84 in quadruple overtime. Concordia's Emily Beseman kept the game going when she hit a three to tie the game at 75 with one second left at the end of double overtime. After both teams managed only five points in triple overtime, the Cobbers found their second wind and pulled out the victory.
Autumn Thompson logged 26 points in 57 minutes and Elizabeth Birkmeyer had a double-double (16 points, 12 rebounds) in 52 minutes for Concordia-Moorhead. Danica Cambrice tallied 23 points and 18 rebounds in 55 minutes for St. Catherine.
For more from Saturday's Division III women's basketball action, check out the list of headlines from game stories posted to D3hoops.com by Division III schools.