The first half of Division III's week to crown conference champions went according to form with all but one ranked team advancing But every season has a couple Cinderella teams who make a surprise run to the NCAA tournament.

Enter the Westminster (Pa.) women, who were below .500 when the week began but are now one win away from the Big Dance. The Titans upset No. 18 Washington and Jefferson 64-61 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference semifinals. Senior Amy Dolsak's layup with nine seconds left wrapped up the dramatic win. The Titans will need another upset tomorrow when they face No. 16 Thomas More on the Saints' home floor.

Also enter Massachusetts College, who is still below .500 even after tonight's win over top seeded Bridgewater State 61-53 in the MASCAC semifinals. The Trailblazers were 4-8 in the MASCAC regular season, but they will play Worcester State for an automatic bid tomorrow. Pitt-Bradford will take its 11-16 record into tomorrow's AMCC title game against host favorite Medaille. The Panthers upended Frostburg State 62-59 in the semifinals tonight. More Friday finals.

&&g-boxl&&Elmhurst eliminated No. 10 Carthage 68-56 in the CCIW semifinals. The Bluejays outscored the Lady Reds 42-25 in the second half. Next up is host Illinois Wesleyan who handled Millikin easily 87-52.

Always dangerous this time of year, Howard Payne opened the ASC tournament by beating Mississippi College 73-68. The Yellow Jackets will play No. 17 Louisiana College who survived Hardin-Simmons 72-69.

New Paltz State rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit, but needed four overtimes to finally outlast Oneonta State 82-79 in the SUNYAC semifinals.

The Atlantic coast has been pounded by snow all winter. So it's only fitting that another major storm postponed the Skyline semifinals and NJAC final until tomorrow. Storm damage on the campus of Daniel Webster forced the Eagles, who were the top seed in the NECC tournament, to play Elms on the road where they lost 56-52.