... and here we are. It's an 11,000-game run for Walnut and Bronze as Division III men's and women's basketball tips off for the 2007-08 season.
This season brings a lot of new faces and conference alignments. The Landmark Conference makes its debut this season, with the Catholic men and Scranton women having represented their former leagues in the NCAA Tournament last March. The rest of the Mid-Atlantic Shuffle is in motion with teams taking the floor representing new conferences this fall.
The men are vying for a trip to Salem, Va., as always, with Division III women's teams hoping for a trip to Holland, Mich., where Hope will host the next two women's Final Fours.
The weekend men's schedules and scores: Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The weekend women's schedules and scores: Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Mallory Heydorn scored 16 points and had five assists as No. 15 Illinois Wesleyan knocked off No. 6 Washington U. in women's action at DePauw 69-51 on Friday. No. 18 UW-Whitewater had its way with No. 13 Millikin, as the Big Blue turned the ball over 34 times in a 92-46 loss. Pacific Lutheran rolled 64-16 over a Texas Lutheran women's team that suited up just six players and played five for all 40 minutes.
No. 1 Wash U got off to a strong start as Troy Ruths scored 17 of his 26 points in the second half of a 74-58 win against Ohio Northern at Calvin. Grinnell continued its scoring ways, defeating UW-Eau Claire 137-132, while Redlands abandoned its in its first game after coach Gary Smith was forced out, beating Menlo 65-61. Worcester Polytech has taken up the pace itself and ran past Nichols 101-80 behind 14 points and 16 rebounds from Antoine Coleman. Wartburg opened its new gymnasium on a high note, knocking off Aurora 63-54.