No. 2 Ohio Northern picked up its second loss of the season as Capital surprised the Polar Bears 68-57. The Crusaders used a 20-2 first half run to take the lead and never trailed again. The loss snaps ONU's five game winning streak that included three wins over teams currently ranked in the Top 25 and drops them to 4-2 in OAC play. Capital is now 5-1 in the OAC, tied for first with Baldwin-Wallace who gave ONU its only other loss.
The upset will also put seven first place votes up for grabs in next week's poll. Will they go to No. 1 UW-Stevens Point who drilled UW-Stout 80-50 or No. 3 Amherst who handled rival Williams 64-45?
The start of conference play also brought upsets to the CCIW. North Central knocked off No. 16 Wheaton (Ill.) 52-47. Illinois Wesleyan beat No. 17 Carthage 79-76 behind 37 points from the Freeman brothers, Zach and Andrew. Elmhurst stormed past No. 12 Augustana 82-71 for the Blue Jays' 11th consecutive win.
No. 5 St. Thomas avoided a loss, but the Tommies needed two overtimes to sneak out a 91-86 victory over Bethel. The better news for St. Thomas is that Isaac Rosefelt, who recently missed games due to illness, bounced back with 30 points and 11 rebounds.
The bottom half of the rankings should see some movement. On the way out are injury-plagued No. 11 Averett who lost its third straight, this time falling 73-66 to Hobart (3-7). No. 21 Lawrence may also drop out after losing to Ripon 60-56, the Vikings' first MWC loss since February 19, 2005.
One candidate to move into the rankings is Guilford who beat Randolph-Macon 80-73 behind another 40-point performance from Ben Strong. The Quakers will put their undefeated record on the line against No. 8 Virginia Wesleyan, who notched 60 rebounds in a 128-84 win over Emory & Henry.
More men's scores and stories here.
In women's action No. 1 Bowdoin took care of Emmanuel 67-58 in a battle of undefeated teams. Earlier this week the Polar Bears also gave Norwich its first loss of the season.
Nofi Mojidi scored 14 points to keep No. 17 Chicago perfect after a 54-51 win over Washington U. No. 12 Calvin remained unbeaten, but just barely as an Allison Kessler three rimmed out to preserve the Knights' 53-52 win over St. Mary's (Ind.). Also staying undefeated by more comfortable margins were No. 2 Hope, No. 10 Howard Payne and No. 23 Muhlenberg.
Ashley Marble tallied 30 points and 19 rebounds to give No. 6. Southern Maine a 60-57 win over Western Connecticut and Coach Gary Fifield his 499th career win.
More women's scores and game stories here.