The third time was the charm for Hope, as the Flying Dutch got past Calvin 71-68 with 17 points from Jordyn Boles and 16 from Julie Henderson. The win eliminates any fears the defending national champs might have landed on the bubble. Hope overcame 23 points apiece from Marcia Harris and Lisa Winkle.
But the Calvin men returned the favor as Derek Griffin hit a floater with seven seconds left to knock off Hope 78-76. They put the Flying Dutchmen onto the bubble with a win in the MIAA men's title game. Saturday men's scores.
Who else went out to C on Saturday? Virginia Wesleyan was upset by Hampden-Sydney in the ODAC semifinals. The Brockport State men lost to Plattsburgh in the SUNYAC men's final. John Carroll fell to Capital in the OAC. And Trinity (Conn.) lost to Williams in the NESCAC. They all could result in an extra bid for their leagues, if the ODAC and NESCAC get three bids. Track who's clinched all day.
George Fox rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat Puget Sound 58-51, winning the Northwest Conference. St. Lawrence joined the women's bubble after a 61-55 loss to Hamilton in the Liberty League final. Wheaton (Ill.) defeated Illinois Wesleyan for the CCIW women's title, while Maine-Farmington made it 3-for-3 against Maine Maritime to win the NAC. St. Benedict took the rubber match from Gustavus Adolphus to claim the MIAC's automatic bid. McDaniel got knocked down in the Centennial semis by Ursinus 63-53. Saturday's women's games.
No. 13 WPI and Coast Guard have advanced to the men's NEWMAC final. Wash U survived a late flurry to beat Chicago 79-74 and win the UAA men's title. Averett needed two overtimes to defeat North Carolina Wesleyan 108-105, overcoming Lenny Hall's 38 points for the Battling Bishops and winning the USA South. UW-Stevens Point held off UW-La Crosse to win the WIAC automatic bid. La Crosse and Oshkosh each have hopes of a Pool C bid.
In the categories of firsts and lasts: Keuka won the first automatic bid for the NEAC in women's play. Villa Julie won the first NEAC men's automatic bid in its last year in the conference. Catholic won the CAC men's automatic bid in its last year before the Landmark Conference makes its debut. Grove City won the final Presidents' Athletic Conference men's tournament that didn't have an automatic bid (audio highlight: Ryan Briggs on the call). Piedmont knocked off Maryville (Tenn.) to win the GSAC women's automatic bid. And Notre Dame (Md.) won its first automatic bid in women's basketball in the last year of the AWCC.