Five-Star Matchups

Gettysburg at Franklin & Marshall
It promises to be a great doubleheader tonight in Lancaster as the Bullets visit Franklin & Marshall. The opener features the undefeated Gettysburg women (3-0 CC, 6-0) against the once-defeated Diplomats (2-1, 5-1). It is the 62nd time that the long-time rivals have met on the hardwood with F&M winning three of the last four for a 33-28 series lead. Gettysburg's last win in Lancaster was in the 2008 Centennial semifinals (75-70). The Bullets lead the Conference in scoring defense (42.5) and field goal percentage defense (30.1).

The most-contested series in the Conference, it is the 200th meeting between the Bullet men (2-0 CC, 2-3) and the Diplomat men (1-1, 5-2) with the Orange and Blue looking for its seventh straight win against F&M, ranked 16th nationally. The Diplomats' last win over the Battlefield five was at home in 2007 (67-48). Gettysburg leads the all-time series, 108-91. Players to watch: Gettysburg C Andrew Powers (16.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg), the 2009 Centennial Player of the Year, against F&M's James McNally (18.9, 9.6), a first-team All-CC pick a year ago.

Last Night's aCCtion

photo (left) by Michale Bupp, Carlisle Sentinel
photo (right) by Suzette Wenger, Lancaster Newspapers

Jeffrey Kauffman of the Carlisle Sentinel writes that Johns Hopkins has made the trip to Central Pennsylvania twice in the past week and may not want to make the trip again anytime soon after a 65-43 loss at Messiah.

Kevin Freeman of the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal writes that Dickinson's Brooke Muller helped open up a tight game in the second half and lead Dickinson past Elizabethtown, 68-53.

Last Night's aCCtion

photo by Jane Therese, Special to the Morning Call

Tom Hinkel of The Express Times writes that Kelly McKeon was the difference in 16th ranked Muhlenberg's 84-71 victory over 23rd ranked Moravian.

Mandy Housenick of the Allentown Morning Call noted how relaxed Muhlenberg seemed in the first half versus Moravian. About a third of the way through the second half, the relaxation turned fun for the Mules and dreadful for the 'Hounds. (Photo Gallery)

Last Night's aCCtion

photo by Dave Munch, Carroll County Times

Josh Land of the Carroll County Times writes that McDaniel head coach Kevin Curley couldn't contain his emotion after the Terror's 60-51 upset of No. 10 Franklin & Marshall.

Cory Mull of the Hanover Evening Sun writes that Miguel Jones is becoming the "go-to" guy for the Green Terror after McDaniel's upset of F&M.

Land also writes that Becky Martin finally saw her team's offense catch up with the defense as the Green Terror women knocked F&M from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Mull notes that the McDaniel women made a statement in the win over the Diplomats.

Jeffrey Kauffman of the Carlisle Sentinel writes that a simple defensive shift proved to be the difference as the Dickinson women pulled away from Johns Hopkins, 68-61.

The Pottstown Mercury provides a wrap of Ursinus' split with Swarthmore. The Harrisburg Patriot-News provides an area capsule, as does the Annapolis Capital.

Sunday Morning QB

photo by Gary Emeigh, Wilmington News Journal

Mike Finney, writing for the Baltimore Sun, notes that Johns Hopkins battled the weather and its own mistakes and lost on both fronts Saturday afternoon.

Finney, writing for the Wilmington News Journal, says that Wesley abandoned its usual high-octane offense and turned a couple of Hopkins' miscues on special teams into touchdowns as the Wolverines recorded a 12-0 shutout to capture their third South Region championship over the past five seasons.

A busy man on Saturday, Finney notes that mistakes made the big difference in a game played in a downpour of sleet throughout the second half. Finney also provides a post-game notebook.

Five-Star Matchups

Ursinus at Franklin & Marshall (Women's Basketball)
The surprising Diplomats (1-0 CC, 4-0) play host to the Bears (1-1, 3-1) in a game that may tell us a lot about both teams. It is the 41st meeting between the schools with Franklin & Marshall holding a 22-18 advantage, although Ursinus has won five of the last six contests. F&M is led by the potent 1-2 combo of Megan Pauley (17.5) and Beth Holt (14.5) and its defense is holding its opposition to just 31.7 percent success from the field. The Bears counter with a powerful inside tandem of Carolyn Konstanzer (14.0) and Lindsay Teuber (11.3 ppg, 10.3 rpg).

Last Night's aCCtion

(photo by Marty Heisey, Lancaster Newspapers)

Gordie Jones of the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal writes that for most of the game, F&M's Brandon Beckford couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat. Then, splashdown, as the Diplomats defeated Ursinus, 78-74.

Jeffrey Kauffman of the Carlisle Sentinel writes that the McDaniel-Dickinson game was one of streaks, and it was the last one that cost the Red Devils in a 53-44 loss.

Jeff Cook of the Gettysburg Times notes that Gettysburg coach George Petrie may want to make a recording of last night's halftime talk after the Bullets' 70-61 win over Johns Hopkins.

A staff report is provided by The Carroll County Times on McDaniel's win over Dickinson. Area capsule summaries are available from the Delaware County Times and Pottstown Mercury.

Five-Star Matchups

Ursinus at Franklin & Marshall (Men's Basketball)
This has become one of the top rivalries in the Conference over the past decade and tonight's clash in Lancaster should only add to the fire. The 10th ranked Diplomats (3-1) hold a 76-32 all-time lead over the Bears (3-1), but only have a slender 13-12 lead since the formation of the Centennial in 1994. In fact, since 2003, Ursinus has the better of the series with 11 wins in 15 games. Franklin & Marshall swept the season set last winter for the first time since 2002. If you like to compare scores (and who doesn't), the teams have one common opponent this season - Lebanon Valley. LVC edged the Diplomats, 67-66, while the Bears routed the Dutchmen, 82-56, five days later. Who to watch tonight? F&M features Georgio Milligan and James McNally who both earned first-team All-Centennial honors in 2009. Ursinus has Remy Cousart, an honorable mention All-CC pick last winter, and Matt Hilton, who leads the CC in scoring. You can watch the game online at godiplomats.com or listen to the broadcast from the Ursinus Sports Network.

Last Night's aCCtion

Josh Land of the Carroll County Times writes that an undisciplined start and an underwhelming finish doomed McDaniel in its home loss to Swarthmore, sending the Green Terror to its worst four-game start in 32 years.

photo by Dave Munch, Carroll County Times

Five-Star Matchups

Muhlenberg at Dickinson (Women's Basketball)
The #10 Mules (1-0 CC, 2-1) travel to Carlisle to face the Red Devils (1-0, 3-0) in a game that will put 'Berg's 23-game Centennial win streak to the test. Muhlenberg defeated Dickinson, 67-65, at the Kline Center last winter in one of the Mules' toughest tests on their way to a perfect 18-0 CC season. The overall series is tied at 18 wins apiece, while Muhlenberg holds a 15-11 lead since 1994. The Devils' Alesha Sisco was named the CC Player of the Week after knocking down 11-of-14 shots for 24 points vs. Swarthmore. 'Berg's Sheila Cook poured in 18 points in the win at McDaniel.

Johns Hopkins at Gettysburg (Women's Basketball)
It's an early season showdown between a pair of perennial Centennial playoff contenders as the Blue Jays (1-0, 2-1) visit the Battlefield to take on the undefeated Bullets (0-0, 3-0). It is the 54th meeting between the schools with JHU holding a 25-5 lead, including a season sweep last winter. Two of the Conference's premier players will be on display in Hopkins' Lyndsay Burton and Gettysburg's Caitlin Moser. Burton is averaging a double-double at 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, while Moser is third in the CC at 18.0 points per outing.

Last Night's aCCtion

Gordie Jones of the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal reveals the secret of low post play, courtesy of James McNally who scored 30 points in Franklin & Marshall's 72-61 win over #20 St. Mary's.

Derek Lavarse of the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader writes about how Kyle Stackhouse fought off a nosebleed to seal King's first victory of the season, a 55-48 win over Muhlenberg.