Taryn Christiansen hit several big threes in the second half of Bethany Lutheran's 63-61 win over No. 3 UW-Eau Claire. File photo by Ryan Coleman, d3photography.com

 
Bethany Lutheran used timely defense and outside shooting to upset No. 3 UW-Eau Claire while York (Pa.) shut down No. 18 Messiah and took over first in the MAC Commonwealth on Wednesday night. On the men's side, the Student Princes dethroned their second straight ranked foe and it was a good night to have Eastern in your name. 

• Wednesday men's scoreboard
• Wednesday women's scoreboard
• Around the Nation: Early-season learnings
• Top 25 released: Men | Women
• More headlines: Men | Women

For the second time this season, Bethany Lutheran knocked off a ranked WIAC foe, as the Vikings rallied past No. 3 UW-Eau Claire, 63-61.

After three periods of tight defense and low scoring, Bethany Lutheran took a 40-37 lead on a Taryn Christiansen three-pointer in the closing minute of the third quarter. UW-Eau Claire opened the fourth quarter by shooting 7 for 9 with four 3-pointers and built a 60-53 advantage.  Bethany Lutheran answered with a three-pointer and two free throws to trim the deficit back to 60-58 with 1:15 to play.

The Blugolds held the lead and the ball with less than a minute left when Sara Kottke stripped the ball away and found Christensen for another three that put the  Vikings in front 61-60 with 29 seconds left. UW-Eau Claire called time out and got the ball to Courtney Crouch who was fouled and split a pair of free throws, tying the game at 61. Bethany Lutheran then called time out and worked the ball into the post to All-American Hanna Geistfeld who was fouled with seven seconds remaining. She hit both free throws and Eau Claire missed its final shot, setting off a Vikings celebration.

Christensen scored 19 points with five 3-pointers while Geistfeld added 18 points and 14 rebounds for Bethany Lutheran (5-2). Jessie Ruden paced Eau Claire (8-1) with 18 points.

The newest team in the MAC Commonwealth now sits atop its women's basketball standings after York (Pa.) went on the road dropped No. 18 Messiah, 61-55. Messiah led 50-48 entering the fourth quarter when the Falcons offense went cold. The Spartans held Messiah to one field goal in the fourth quarter and just 19 in the game against 29 turnovers.

Alana Bortner scored 25 points for York (8-1, 3-0 MACC) which joined the conference last season but did not compete in women’s basketball. The teams will meet again in York on January 29.

Not surprisingly, No. 15 Tufts also won with defense, as the Jumbos were their usual stingy selves in downing previously-unbeaten WPI, 73-47. Tufts (6-1) turned 18 WPI turnovers into 25 points. Olivia Nagy posted a double-double (13 points, 14 rebounds) and No. 4 John Carroll took care of Mount Union, 69-56.

Speaking of teams enjoying their new conferences, Southern Virginia improved to 5-3, 3-0 in the USA South Athletic Conference by beating Greensboro, 79-68. Emma Camden led the Knights with 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Lauren Livingston led all players with 24 points for Greensboro (7-1, 1-1 USA South).

A couple of teams that are trying to learn from early losses took the floor on Wednesday night. The DeSales women showed their still the class of the MAC Freedom by beating Stevens 71-58 in Hoboken, NJ. The Dubuque men had a tougher time and fell at home to UW-Stout, 89-80. Lovell Williams poured in 24 points for UW-Stout (7-2). 

In other men's action, Heidelberg beat its second straight ranked foe, this time toppling No. 16 Trine, 72-67. The teams traded leads late in the second half until the Student Princes seized control on a layup and then a dunk by Eric Panning in the final minute. Heidelberg (7-2) had a balanced attack led by Isaiah Young who scored 13 points off the bench. All-American Nick Bowman scored 26 points in 38 minutes for the Thunder (5-2).

The rest of the Top 25 teams in action won comfortably. No. 7 Elmhurst and No. 8 Wheaton (Ill.) won on the road at Millikin and Carroll respectively while No. 17 Mount Union did the same in the OAC at John Carroll.

Teams with Eastern in their name went 2-0 with wins over quality opponents. 

Eastern, which was winless in the COVID-shortened season earlier this year, upped its mark to 7-2, 2-0 in the MAC Commonwealth by beating Widener, 89-82. Eastern Connecticut held off Mass.-Dartmouth 75-73 behind Max Lee's triple-double (10 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists).

Eastern Mennonite and Eastern Nazarene were idle.