Commonwealth Conference Basketball

Men:

Three of the top four teams lost on Wednesday night by a total margin of 5 points. Widener and Lebanon Valley each won for their second straight win in the second half of the season to move to 4-5 and stay alive for a tournament berth. Lebanon Valley beat Lycoming (6-3) 75-72 for the second time this season; Widener topped Albright, the conference leader (7-2), 49-48 in a wild finish. In another key game, Messiah (5-4) knocked off rival Elizabethtown (5-4) 61-60 in front of packed house. Although Arcadia is winless in the conference, it took overtime for Alvernia (5-4) to prevail 82-75.

Women:

No surprises here as the top four teams, Lebanon Valley (9-0), Messiah (8-1), Alvernia (6-3), and Widener (6-3), all won their games against the bottom half of the conference.

Freedom Conference Basketball

Men:

DeSales (8-1) returned to the win column by topping Manhattanville (4-5) - the Valiants are tied with Delaware Valley for 5th place. The Aggies maintain hopes of a tournament slot by beating FDU. The two big games had red hot Eastern (6-3) prevailing over King's (6-3) 70-55, and Misericordia (5-4) sending neighbor Wilkes home losing 77-71. Eastern last two wins were against the two top teams in the conference.

Women:

The game of the night had DeSales (6-3) squeaking by Manhattanville (7-2) 53-52 to put the Bulldogs back in the thick of the conference race. As expected, Delaware Valley (7-2), Misericordia ((6-3), and King's (5-4) won against teams in the bottom half of the conference. The Aggies are now tied for first with Manhattanville and have the tiebreaking edge with the win over the Valiants earlier in the season.