Michelle Gott-Stilwell hit a rainbow 3-pointer at the buzzer to sink No. 1 Bowdoin and end the nation's longest home-court winning streak with a 51-49 decision in favor of Maine Maritime on Wednesday. The loss drops top-ranked Bowdoin to 15-1 while the Mariners improve to 14-0.
Bowdoin had won 76 in a row since losing to Colby on Feb. 10, 2001.
The Polar Bears pushed the lead past five points on eight occasions, with their last five-point edge coming on a made Eileen Flaherty free throw with 40 seconds remaining to take a 49-44 lead. But Gott-Stilwell was fouled on the ensuing possession, and hit two shots to cut into the lead.
After a Bowdoin turnover, Alyssa Burns hit a running jumper to make it 49-48 with 0:17 left. Flaherty was fouled with 10 seconds left, and Bowdoin's top free-throw shooter missed the front end of a one-and-one. Gott-Stilwell grabbed the rebound and after scrambling down the court, received a pass from Rebecca Moore on the left wing. The senior spotted up from 22 feet and her shot found nothing but net.
"In 15 years of coaching, this was the first bus ride, where the kids wanted to watch the game film on the way home," coach Craig Dagan told D3hoops.com. "We got off the bus and I said to the kids 'You may never be able to say this again, but for tonight, you're No. 1 in the country." Full story.
No. 19 Illinois Wesleyan held off Wheaton (Ill.) 57-54, placing the Titans atop the CCIW standings. DeSales pulled away from Drew 73-68 to set up a showdown against No. 3 Scranton on Saturday. More women's scores here.
In men's action, two surprise teams legitimized their strong starts by upsetting highly ranked opponents. St. John's knocked off No. 3 St. Thomas 64-59 to take over sole possession of first place in the MIAC. The Johnnies are 12-3 with a perfect 10-0 mark in conference play. Ohio Wesleyan drilled No. 6 Wittenberg 70-48 to improve to 11-5, 5-2 in the NCAC. Ted Uritus scored all 16 of his points in the second half to help the Battling Bishops turn a six-point half time lead into a route.
The third time was the charm for UW-River Falls who beat No. 16 UW-La Crosse 81-72. Earlier this season the Falcons lost close games to St. Thomas and No. 12 UW-Oshkosh. The Eagles' loss coupled with UW-Stevens Point's 73-68 win over UW-Platteville gives the Pointers a two-game lead in the WIAC.
Elsewhere No. 20 Guilford slipped up on the road against Roanoke, falling to the Maroons 72-68. No. 9 Elmhurst remained red hot beating North Park 79-76 for the Blue Jays' 14th consecutive win. Jon Greene's double-double (21 points, 10 rebounds) keyed Richard Stockton to an 83-69 win over Lincoln. More men's scores here.