We might not have pictured Elmhurst and McDaniel as the biggest threats to the top teams in the CCIW and Centennial Conference a week ago. But their victories on Tuesday night erased any chance of overlooking them further.

Elmhurst went to No. 12 Carthage and defeated the Lady Reds 73-65 behind Lyndsie Long and Meghan Merklein, who combined for 50 points. Those two players plus Megan Ney (12 points) nearly outscored Carthage themselves. The Bluejays have won seven in a row and are tied with No. 1 Illinois Wesleyan atop the CCIW. The Titans, who passed a big test by beating Carthage on Saturday, have another test on Sunday when they travel to Elmhurst. On Tuesday night, Illinois Wesleyan had no problem with Millikin which it beat 64-42.

The biggest threat to defending Centennial Conference champion Muhlenberg might be No. 21 Gettysburg, but don�t discount McDaniel. The Green Terror beat the ninth-ranked Mules 72-71 in overtime at Muhlenberg. Kelly McKeon converted a three point play to give the Mules a one-point lead with 7.5 seconds left in the extra period. But Ali Moreland answered for McDaniel with two free throws after she was fouled. Meanwhile undefeated Gettysburg cruised past Bryn Mawr 83-34 in the Bullets' first game as a ranked team. Washington (Md.) beat Franklin and Marshall 61-56 for its first win in 12 trips to Lancaster. More women�s scores.

&&f-boxr&&In men's action two teams coming off rough weekends bounced back nicely on Tuesday night. Brandeis, which dropped from No. 8 to No. 20 in the latest rankings, got back in the win column by taking care of Bates, 81-57. Vytas Kriskus had 19 points for the Judges. Mississippi College, which nearly fell out of the Top 25 completely after consecutive road losses, found its home court more accommodating. The Choctaws beat Louisiana College 76-63. More men's scores.

Elsewhere No. 11 Franklin and Marshall made Muhlenberg's first conference loss a lopsided one. Four Diplomat starters reached double figures in a 80-58 win at Muhlenberg. Gordon topped Anna Maria 72-64 as Aaron Trigg (23 points) showed he can play as well as he writes.

SUNY-Old Westbury maintained its lead in the Skyline Conference with an 82-69 win over Mount St. Mary. On Saturday the Panthers will host Farmingdale State, which lost all five non-conference games but is 5-1 in league play following a victory over Mount St. Vincent, 79-64.