Wednesday's aCCtion

WOMEN
Gettysburg won in Westminster for the first time since the 1996-97 season with a 65-54 win at McDaniel. Margaret White scored a career-high 16 points off the bench for the Bullets. Kelly McKeon scored a game-high 18 points, including four consecutive three-pointers, as Muhlenberg went into Helfferich Hall and came away with a 61-49 win against Ursinus. Johns Hopkins overcame a 14-point halftime deficit and defeated Washington, 69-60, in Chestertown. Kristin Phillips scored 17 points and collected a career-high 18 rebounds for the Blue Jays. Swarthmore snapped an eight-game losing streak with a thrilling 57-56 win at Haverford. Kathryn Stockbower had another big night with 17 points, including the game-winning basket, and 21 rebounds. Nine different players dented the scoring column as Franklin & Marshall downed Bryn Mawr, 58-37. Miriam Marcis led the Diplomats with 12 points. Dickinson jumped all over Catholic early, holding the Cardinals without a point for the first 10 1/2 minutes, on its way to a 61-40 victory. Alesha Sisco had a game-high 14 points for the Devils.

MEN
Keith Page came off the bench and scored a game-high 18 points as Ursinus rolled to its 11th straight Centennial win with an 81-60 triumph against Muhlenberg. Gettysburg erased a five-point deficit in the final minute of regulation and hung on in overtime to win at McDaniel, 66-65. The Bullets' Dan Capkin had 22 points, including the game-tying three that forced the extra stanza, while the Terror's Brett Foelber had 25 points and 15 boards. Dickinson wiped out a 16-point second-half deficit to defeat Franklin & Marshall, 71-69. Kizmahr Grell had 21 points for the Red Devils, who downed the Diplomats at the Kline Center for the first time since 1997. Johns Hopkins jumped all over Washington College early on its way to a 70-57 win in Chestertown. Doug Polster and Kevin Roach combined for 30 points for the Jays. Chaz Thomas tied a career high with 29 points to lead Haverford to a 63-53 win at home against archrival Swarthmore. Ian McCormick tossed in 25 points for the Garnet.

Five-Star Matchups

It's "Rivalry Night" in the Conference with traditional local matchups being renewed another time. Two of the places to be tonight are Collegeville and Westminster with women's and men's games that will have an impact on the Centennial playoff chase.

Muhlenberg at Ursinus (Women's Basketball)
The Mules (8-3 CC, 13-5) and the Bears (8-2, 10-7) meet in the 57th renewal of their series that has certainly picked up in intensity over the past two seasons. Two of the last four games (both at Helfferich Hall) have gone to overtime, while the other two games have been decided by a combined total of five points. Muhlenberg leads the CC in scoring offense (70.2), while Ursinus is second in scoring defense (57.0). The Mules are No. 2 in team FG percentage (40.1), while the Bears sit atop the CC in FG percentage defense (34.4). Two of the loop's top players will be on display in 'Berg's Lauren Boyle (15.1 ppg.) and UC's Carolyn Konstanzer (16.2 ppg.).

Gettysburg at McDaniel (Women's Basketball)
It's the annual Battle of Route 97 as the Bullets (7-3, 11-6) come callin' on the Gill Center and the Green Terror (8-3, 9-8). McDaniel has won 10 straight in the series to take a 42-29 advantage, but the last six regular-season meetings have all been decided by single digits. Gettysburg has not won in Westminster in its last 13 trips since a 1997 victory (65-54). The Green Terror leads the CC in FG percentage (42.3), while the Bullets are second in FG percentage defense (36.5). Keep an eye on a battle of the senior guards in McDaniel's Robbin Gregg and Gettysburg's Megan Hartman.

Muhlenberg at Ursinus (Men's Basketball)
This could be one of the biggest bumps in the road as the Bears (10-0, 15-2) look for an unbeaten Centennial season. It is the 92nd time that Ursinus and Muhlenberg (6-4, 8-9) have met on the hardwood with the Mules holding a 58-33 all-time lead and a 15-13 advantage since 1994. Last season, 'Berg ended a six-game losing streak in Collegeville with a 76-68 victory that put the Mules into the Centennial playoffs. Defense could be the name of the game in this one, as the Bears (39.3) and Mules (40.1) are 1-2 in the Conference in FG percentage defense. Stopping UC's Nick Shattuck is another thing, as the senior leads the Centennial in scoring at 22.4 points per game.

Gettysburg at McDaniel (Men's Basketball)
It is the 95th time that the Bullets (8-2, 13-3) and the Green Terror (7-3, 12-5) have squared off on the court in a series that dates to 1917 ... and this may be the most important game between the long-time rivals in recent memory. Gettysburg is in second place in the Conference - two games behind Ursinus. McDaniel is alone in third place, a game behind the Orange and Blue. The Bullets have won 12 of the last 15 games between the teams, but the Terror has taken three of the last four, including a season sweep of the playoff-bound Bullets last season. The battle of the boards may decide this one, as McDaniel's Chris Prior (9.5) and Brett Foelber take on Gettysburg's Andrew Powers (7.6) and Joe Spierenburg (7.4).

DIII Membership Issues

Courtesy of our friend Josh Centor at the NCAA, here is a link to his conversation with Myles Brand, president of the NCAA, and Dan Dutcher, vice president for Division III. The trio discusses the possibility of a membership split within Division III - the topic that promises to garner the most attention by the Conference and DIII members during 2008. Another perspective is provided by two members of the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee - Emily Pankow of Luther and Kayla Hinkley of the University of New England - on a podcast, courtesy of Inside Higher Ed. What do you think? We'd like to know.

The Winter Swimming Training Trip

We have asked four Centennial Conference students to provide us with some insights on life as a top-flight athlete at an elite institution of higher learning. Over the next two months, you will have to opportunity to hear from Franklin & Marshall's Sarah Meisenberg (basketball), Gettysburg's Matt Shank (wrestling), Haverford's Annick Lamar (track and field), and Swarthmore's Anne Miller (swimming). Today, Miller tells you about the infamous "Winter Training Trip" - the only trip to a warm weather climate in January that has you cursing at the clock.

It’s 5:10 AM on January 18th and a cell phone alarm is ringing, wrenching four roommates from their sleep for the ninth and final day of training trip. As they push themselves out of bed they can feel the 14 previous practices in their aching muscles and every now and then there is a groan as one of them has to bend down to pick up a swim bag or a towel off the floor. It is at this time that they all curse training trip, its demanding schedule, and strenuous workouts – both in and out of the water.

Two days later, though, back at school and with a day to sleep in, pictures start appearing on Facebook with happy comments. And as they see each other’s pictures it brings smiles to their faces. Pictures of laughter at the dinner table, tanning on the beach, and walking around San Juan during an afternoon off remind the roommates (and the rest of the team) of the good times.

As one of those cursing at 5:10, I totally understand the question most of us ask: is it worth it? For some the answer came immediately – during the slightly reckless van races back to the hotel for breakfast one of my teammates had a bit of a conversation with himself saying: “Well, what’s the worst that could happen? We could all die in a fiery crash. (a small pause) Eh, it’s all worth it for an omelet.”

We all get the motivation to get through training trip in different ways. For some it’s an omelet. For others it is the tanning. For some it is the beach volleyball. For some it is simply the opportunity to spend 10 days with their friends on the swim team. But certainly none of us question training trip's worth when it comes down to what is important.

We left training trip as a much closer team than we came. We got to know the freshmen much better and we even learned about our classmates and ourselves. Being with a group of 31 people 24/7 for over a week and enduring pain and exhaustion during that time brings you together in unbelievable ways. And it is with that sense of team that we will be swimming our Conference Meet the weekend of February the 22nd. When we do a turn and see our whole team cheering at the end of our lane, we will not be questioning the worth of training trip. When we finish a race faster than we ever have, we will not be questioning the worth of training trip. And when we get points for our team, we will not be questioning the worth of training trip.

Saturday's Basketball aCCtion

WOMEN
The race for the top spot in the Conference became a lot tighter as Johns Hopkins knocked off Dickinson, 61-60. Britni Lonesome made one of two free throws with :01 remaining to cap a comeback from 11 points down for the Blue Jays. Ursinus moved a half-game behind the Red Devils in the standings with a 62-53 win against Swarthmore. Carolyn Konstanzer (24) and Alex Shivers (18) combined for 42 points for the Bears in the victory. Muhlenberg and McDaniel are just a game back after posting wins. The Mules scored 55 second-half points to down Washington, 83-57. The Green Terror received 16 points from Robbin Gregg and 14 from Ashley Lyles in an 81-56 win at Bryn Mawr. Gettysburg downed Haverford, 64-46, for the 250th career win for head coach Mike Kirkpatrick.

MEN
Ursinus survived a major challenge from Swarthmore in downing the Garnet, 88-85. Nick Shattuck had 27 points for the Bears in game that saw 16 lead changes and 10 ties. Gettysburg kept pace with the front-running Bears with a 77-63 win against visiting Haverford. Dan Capkin and Corey Dorsey combined for 41 points for the Bullets. Brett Foelber scored 18 of his season-best 25 points after intermission as McDaniel edged Franklin & Marshall, 82-78, in overtime. The win is the third straight for the Terror over the Diplomats - the first time that has occurred since McDaniel (then Western Maryland) won four straight from F&M in 1960-63. Johns Hopkins shot 58 percent from the floor in the second half as the Blue Jays turned back Dickinson, 74-53. Four players hit double figures for JHU, led by Doug Polster's 16 points. Muhlenberg withstood a late Washington rally to down the visiting Shoremen, 73-69. Ryan Foster led the Mules with 18 points.

Thursday's Basketball aCCtion

It was immovable object over irresistable force as Dickinson defeated Muhlenberg, 64-49. The Red Devils entered the game with the Centennial's top scoring defense (53.4), while the Mules came into Carlisle with the Conference's top scoring offense (70.7). Laura Lyons had a game-high 14 points for Dickinson who moved a game-and-a-half in front of the pack in the CC race. Gettysburg shot 52.8 percent from the floor to hand visiting Franklin & Marshall a 70-47 defeat. Megan Hartman led the Bullets with 16 points. Johns Hopkins used a 15-4 run over the final six minutes to pull away from McDaniel, 59-56. Caitlin Sloane had all eight of her points during the stretch for the Blue Jays. Sarah Hennessey led three players in double figures with 15 points as Ursinus knocked off Haverford, 76-48. Washington used a 22-4 second-half run to overcome a seven-point deficit and down visiting Bryn Mawr, 53-41.

Five-Star Matchups

Franklin & Marshall at McDaniel (Men's Basketball)
The Green Terror (6-3 CC, 11-5) looks to make history at the Gill Center when they welcome the Diplomats (5-4, 10-6) for a Saturday matinee. McDaniel has never swept a season series from the Franklin & Marshall, but a 75-62 win in Lancaster back on Dec. 8 puts the Green and Gold in position. F&M has won seven of its last eight games and is second in the Conference in scoring offense (73.5). McDaniel can win its 12th game of the season for the first time since the 1990-91 campaign.

Dickinson at Washington (Women's Swimming)
The Red Devils (3-0, 5-1) put their unbeaten CC record on the line in Chestertown against the Shorewomen (2-1, 8-1). The 200-yard freestyle promises to be one of the highlight events as the three fastest times in the CC are held by Washington's Megan Morse (1:57.60) and Rachel Glasser (1:58.26), and Dickinson's Elizabeth Schroll (1:58.26).

Merchant Marine, Muhlenberg, Ursinus at Stevens (Wrestling)
Three teams with undefeated CC dual-match records meet in Hoboken on a Saturday that could decide the Centennial dual-meet title. The Bears (2-0, 9-0), Ducks (2-0, 5-1) and Mariners (2-0, 7-4) also welcome the Mules (1-1, 2-4) to the quad affair. Key matches include 125 between Ursinus' Steve Kingland (13-0) and USMMA's Jordan Alfaro (12-6); 141 between Muhlenberg's Billy Hall (20-3) and the Mariners' James Beshada (16-8); 165 between the Bears' Mike Schwager (15-1, 11 falls) and USMMA's Vincent Renaut (19-2); and 174 between the Ducks' Brandon MacWhinnie (15-3), ranked fourth nationally, and the Mules' Justin Fitch (17-4).

Five-Star Matchups

Muhlenberg at Dickinson (Women's Basketball)
It's a showdown for first place at the Kline Center in Carlisle as the league-leading Red Devils (8-1 CC, 9-5) take on the second-place Mules (7-2, 12-4). It is the 32nd meeting between the team in a series that dates to 1970 with Dickinson holding a slim 17-14 advantage. The Devils swept the Mules last season, holding 'Berg under 42 points in all three contests. Dickinson leads the CC in scoring defense this season (53.4), while Muhlenberg tops the loop in scoring offense (70.7).

Franklin & Marshall at Gettysburg (Women's Basketball)
It is the 57th renewal of the rivalry between the Diplomats (6-2, 11-4) and the Bullets (5-3, 9-6) with Gettysburg looking to extend its five-game win streak against F&M. The Blue and White has not won at Bream Gym since 2002 (73-60). F&M's Sarah Meisenberg leads the CC in scoring at 18.5 ppg., while Gettysburg's Caitlin Moser is second among freshmen in the Conference and 11th overall at 13.1 ppg.

Wednesday's Basketball aCCtion

It was quite a night around the Conference as just one of the five games was decided by more than five points. When the dust settled, Ursinus had a two-game lead over the rest of the field which sees two games separating second and sixth place. Nick Shattuck scored a career-high 39 points to go along with a team-best 10 rebounds as the Bears dispatched Haverford, 86-56, at Gooding Arena. Ursinus shot 63.2 percent from the floor and drained 13 three-pointers. Gettysburg's Andrew Powers (pictured)scored on a put-back with 1.3 seconds remaining to lift the Bullets past Franklin & Marshall, 67-66. Dan Capkin led Gettysburg with 22 points, while Daniel Selig had 15 points and 10 caroms for the Diplomats. Miguel Jones scored six points in the final 48.6 seconds to hold off a late Hopkins' charge and down the Blue Jays, 59-56. It was the first back-to-back wins for the Terror at Goldfarb Gym since 1983-85. Muhlenberg rebounded from three straight road losses with a home win against Dickinson, 67-62. Darrell Roth had 20 markers to lead the Mules. The game of the night may have belonged to Swarthmore and Washington, who played their fourth double-overtime game in seven years before the Garnet came away victorious, 93-87. Ian McCormick had 29 points and 19 rebounds for Swarthmore, while Andrew Chambers poured in a game-high 33 points, including 25 after half, for the Shoremen.

The Joy of Wrestling During Winter Break

We have asked four Centennial Conference students to provide us with some insights on life as a top-flight athlete at an elite institution of higher learning. Over the next two months, you will have to opportunity to hear from Franklin & Marshall's Sarah Meisenberg (basketball), Gettysburg's Matt Shank (wrestling), Haverford's Annick Lamar (track and field), and Swarthmore's Anne Miller (swimming). Today, Shank shines a light on life as a collegiate wrestler during Winter Break ... and the differences between wrestling as an individual and for the team.


The difference between the fall and spring semester for a Centennial Conference wrestler at Gettysburg College is like night and day. The fall semester consists of four tournaments where individual achievement is all that really matters. You can, of course, look for the pin and get that extra half point for your team, but no one really worries about that. The main objective is to win at all costs, no matter by what margin, just win. But all that logic goes right out the window with the coming of the New Year.

You’re back on a nearly empty campus, for example this year it was New Year's Eve. You see the occasional basketball player, the kind of person who typically towers above the average wrestler (in height only), but other than that you’re alone with your team. And that is the reason you’ve left your family and friends at home to come back to a steamy wrestling room and a diet of boneless, skinless chicken and tasteless vegetables. You’ve returned to commence the dual meet season along with your teammates. If it weren’t for your teammates, you think it would be highly unlikely that you would have returned at all, let alone 17 days early with nothing but two-a-day practices in sight.

Now you begin to work off those unwanted pounds that inevitably accumulate during the holidays. It's most likely not that much fun, but in the back of your mind you’re thinking of the matches that will come down to you, if your 133-pounder can beat his rival, and the Conference tournament that always so unmercifully decides whether or not you get to go to nationals again this year.

Now you’ve been back for six days, or 12 practice sessions, depending on how you choose to keep track of time. You’ve finally made weight and although it wasn’t easy and your body tells you that, you’re satisfied and it's time to get to work. After your coach’s pre-match speech, the coin flip, and national anthem, it begins. Ten matches where each wrestler on your team attempts to not only win, but win big. Your 157-pounder is up by seven in the 3rd period, but only wins by two after he tried an ill-advised throw with 30 seconds left. But you clap and congratulate him because even though he gave up a five-point move as time expired, he was trying to get the bonus point for a major decision in an unquestionably selfless act. Now the match is over, and although you performed well, your team lost and that leaves a sour taste in your mouth. Nothing you can do about that now though, so you focus on your next match two days from now. After a small but satisfying meal you’re back at the gym wearing layers of clothes, nothing on your mind but the ice cold Gatorade at 11 a.m. promised you in a day and a half, and the noon start time of yet another match where this time you’re certain, with a little luck and a couple of lineup tweaks, you and your team will emerge victorious.

Shank is a senior from Reedsville, Pa., and a graduate of Indian Valley HS. He is the reigning Centennial Conference champion at 149 and recently became just the second Gettysburg grappler to win 100 bouts in a career.

Five-Star Matchups

Two big games are on the schedule tonight involving four of the top five men's teams. Live stats and audio can be found at our Gameday site.

Franklin & Marshall at Gettysburg
The Diplomats (5-3 CC, 10-5) take a seven-game winning streak west on Route 30 to the Battlefield to take on the Bullets (6-2, 11-3). It is the 195th meeting between the long-time rivals in a series that dates to 1902. Gettysburg has won two of the last three contests to take a 103-91 lead, but F&M has won nine of the 14 games at Bream Gym since 1994. The Diplomats (74.0) and Bullets (73.1) are 2-3 in the Conference in scoring offense and FG percentage (48.6 - 47.6). An interesting matchup will be between two of the Centennial's top rookie big men in F&M's James McNally and Gettysburg's Andrew Powers.

McDaniel at Johns Hopkins
The Green Terror (5-3, 10-5) and the Blue Jays (5-3, 9-6) square off for the 137th time in a series that dates to 1931. Hopkins has won 19 of the last 21 games to forge a 75-61 advantage, but McDaniel downed the Blue Jays, 70-68, last season at Goldfarb Gym. The Green and Gold will lean on the inside game of Chris Prior (10.9 ppg, 9.7 rpg) and Brett Foelber (10.8 ppg), while JHU turns to an outside game led by Doug Polster (14.9 ppg)) and Pat O'Connell (11.0 ppg).

Tuesday's Hoop Wrap

WOMEN
Ursinus freshman Alex Shivers had a career night with 20 points and 20 rebounds as the Bears pulled away from visiting Bryn Mawr, 52-40. It was the first 20-20 performance since Swarthmore's Karen Berk turned the trick against the Owls nearly one year to the day (1/23/07). Washington used a 20-5 run over a six-minute span of the second half to break open a tie game and defeat homestanding Swarthmore, 81-71. Elise Conway had 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Shorewomen who overcame a 34-point, 17-rebound effort by the Garnet's Kathryn Stockbower. Muhlenberg returned home to Memorial Hall after a four-game road swing and defeated Haverford, 72-40. Erin McSherry had nine points and 10 boards to lead the Mules.

Saturday's Basketball Wrap

MEN
Ursinus moved three games in front of second-place Gettysburg with a convincing 83-53 win against the Bullets in Collegeville. The Bears swept the season series as Nick Shattuck poured in 25 points. Franklin & Marshall freshman James McNally scored 23 points as the Diplomats held off Muhlenberg, 67-64. After playing three OTs on Wednesday against Muhlenberg, two extra stanzas seemed like nothing as Johns Hopkins edged Swarthmore, 76-73. Ian McCormick had 28 points and 12 rebounds in a losing cause for the Garnet. Kizmahr Grell scored 23 points as Dickinson nipped Washington, 56-55, in overtime. His two free throws with 22 seconds remaining were the margin of difference. McDaniel remained in a three-way tie for third place in the CC with F&M and Hopkins with a 66-52 win at Haverford.

WOMEN
Carole Dempsey had 14 points and nine boards as Dickinson held off pesky Washington, 50-46. Sarah Meisenberg lit up the scoreboard for 33 points as Franklin & Marshall knocked off Muhlenberg, 75-60 The win avenged a 72-59 loss to the Mules in Allentown back in December. Ursinus nearly surrendered a 22-point advantage but held on to defeat Gettysburg, 69-64. Jaclyn Hilf had a career day with 23 points, including eight free throws down the stretch. Johns Hopkins went on the road and knocked off Swarthmore, 88-65. Bryn Mawr fell to Trinity, D.C. on the road, 70-57, despite 17 points from rookie Emilie Naccarato. McDaniel moved into a tie for second place in the CC with Muhlenberg as the Terror defeated Haverford, 68-49.

Five-Star Matchups

It's a full weekend of activity in the Centennial Conference with basketball doubleheaders galore and the first full weekend of wrestling dual matches.

Gettysburg at Ursinus (Basketball)
The place to be on Saturday is Helfferich Hall in Collegeville with two basketball games that will have an impact on the playoff picture down the road. The women start the doubleheader at 1 p.m. as the Bullets (5-2 CC, 8-5 overall) look for a season sweep over the Bears (4-2, 6-7). Ursinus dropped a 58-46 decision to Gettysburg at the Battlefield on Dec. 1 but has a three-game win streak over the Orange and Blue on its home hardwood. Two of the CC's best freshmen will be on display in Gettysburg's Caitlin Moser and Ursinus' Alex Shivers.

First place in the Conference is on the line in the nightcap as the CC-leading Bears (7-0, 12-2) and the second-place Bullets (6-1, 11-2) meet for the second time this season. Ursinus humbled Gettysburg, 84-59, back on Dec. 1 at Bream Gym and looks for its seventh consecutive win against the Orange and Blue. The Bullets' last win was a 71-63 triumph at Helfferich during the 2005 season. Two of the Centennial's top players take center stage in this game - UC's Nick Shattuck (20.6 ppg) and 'Burg's Dan Capkin (20.3) are 1-2 in the Conference in scoring.

Muhlenberg at Franklin & Marshall (Basketball)
Another key twinbill takes place at Mayser Center as the Mules come to Lancaster to take on the Diplomats. The women tip off at 2 p.m. with Muhlenberg (6-1, 11-3) looking for its second straight season sweep of Franklin & Marshall (5-2, 10-4). F&M has dropped eight of the last nine to 'Berg with a 78-71 overtime win at home in 2006 to its credit. A pair of outstanding juniors will be showcased in the opener as the Diplomats' Sarah Meisenberg leads the CC in scoring (18.5) while Muhlenberg's Lauren Boyle is fifth (16.3).

Four teams are currently 4-3 in the CC men's race and there will be some separation when the Mule (4-3, 6-8) and Diplomat (4-3, 9-5) men meet in the day's second game. Muhlenberg defeated F&M, 68-65, back on Dec. 1 and looks for its first season sweep of the Diplomats since 1998. The Blue and White has won five straight from 'Berg at Mayser and will need to shut down Muhlenberg's Mike Bernardini, who has topped the 30-point mark in consecutive games, to keep the streak alive.

Merchant Marine at Washington and Lee (Wrestling)
Two of the Conference's associate members take center stage in a quad match that also includes McDaniel and Stevens in Lexington. The Mariners (0-0, 5-4) are ranked #19 by the NWCA in its latest Division III rankings, while the Generals (1-0, 3-0) look to remain unbeaten. Key matches to watch: 165 between USMMA's Vincent Renaut (19-2) and W&L's Anthony Boniello (11-3) and 197 between the Mariners' Eric Vincent (16-3) and the Generals' John Christopher (12-4).

Convention Recap

The 2008 NCAA Convention has come to a close and the nearly 900 Division III delegates certainly will remember this gathering in Nashville for what did happen ... and what did not. The Centennial Conference improved to 2-0 all-time in proposed legislation as Proposal 4, placing limitations on text and instant messaging, was adopted by a 362-72-2 vote. But that was one of the only highlights for the CC, as a number of other Conference votes were in the minority as "more permissive" legislation was adopted. One of these proposals changes the first permissible starting date for basketball contests from the Friday before Thanksgiving to November 15. The Centennial Conference has not officially adopted this legislation and will meet today to discuss the CC's course of action. The Centennial SAAC suffered a defeat, as the membership adopted limitations on the use of male practice players during the traditional segment of the playing season. The Conference students did not wish to see any limitations that would hamper smaller squads. And the national SAAC was defeated in its attempt to require the presence of at least one person certified in first aid, CPR and use of an AED at athletics activities. Read more on the Convention in this story from the NCAA News.

Five-Star Matchups

It's a big weekend throughout the Centennial Conference with action on the hardwood, the track and the mat ... along with the conference room as the athletic administrators head to Nashville for the annual NCAA Convention.

Muhlenberg at Gettysburg (Men's Basketball)
The Mules (4-1, 6-6) travel to the Battlefield to take on the Bullets (4-1, 9-2) in a game that suddenly has playoff implications. The two teams are meeting for the 134th time since 1902 with 'Berg holding a 70-63 lead. Gettysburg won two of the three contests last winter, including a 60-51 decision in the first round of the CC tournament. The Orange and Blue leads the CC in FG percentage (48.6), while the Cardinal and Gray is second in FG percentage defense (39.4).

Ursinus at McDaniel (Men's Basketball)
The Bears (5-0, 10-2) put the last undefeated Conference record on the line when they visit Westminster to take on the Green Terror (3-1, 8-3), who fell from the CC unbeaten ranks on Wednesday. Ursinus leads the Centennial in scoring offense (75.0), FG percentage defense (39.1) and FT percentage (71.9). UC senior Nick Shattuck tops all CC scorers with a 21.1 ppg. average.

Muhlenberg at Gettysburg (Women's Basketball)
The Mules (4-1, 8-3) and the Bullets (4-1, 7-4) meet at Bream Gym in a game between two of the Conference's top teams in the early going. 'Berg has won seven of the last eight games and has split the last four contests at the Battlefield. Muhlenberg leads the CC in scoring offense (71.5), while Gettysburg leads the Centennial in FG percentage (40.4).

Tonight's Top Games 1.09

McDaniel at Muhlenberg (Women's Basketball)
The Green Terror (3-1, 4-6) and the Mules (3-1, 7-3) meet in Allentown in the 26th renewal of one of the Conference's best rivalries. McDaniel leads 14-11 with wins in eight of the last 11 meetings. Muhlenberg won all three of its games in the stretch in 2006 by a combined total of five points. The Terror has had success at Memorial Hall, splitting the 14 games since 1994.

McDaniel at Muhlenberg (Men's Basketball)
The Green Terror (3-0, 8-2) take to the road to meet the Mules (3-1, 5-6). McDaniel has been one of the pleasant surprises in the Conference this winter and looks for its second straight win in Allentown. Muhlenberg is 9-1 vs. the Terror at home since 1994 and leads the overall series, 39-21. The Mules had won the previous 16 games at Memorial Hall, including the last nine by an average of 22 points before McDaniel's 22-point win a year ago.

It's a full slate of basketball on tap tonight in the Conference. For links to live stats and audio, check out our men's and women's Gameday sites.

College Notebook 1.08

Here are links to stories from newspapers highlighting Centennial student athletic accomplishments.

Centre Daily Times (Haverford)
Virginian-Pilot (Haverford)
Chapel Hill News (Swarthmore)
Albany Times-Union (Johns Hopkins)