With the end of the regular season in sight, a growing number of teams have their eyes on the prize of hosting conference playoff games. No. 25 St. John Fisher seized that prize by beating Alfred 80-53 on Tuesday night to clinch a share of the Empire 8 title. Jason Norsen led the way with 13 points while Michael Wopperer added 12 points and six rebounds. The Cardinals will host the four team playoff on February 26-27.

Colby-Sawyer slowed Gordon�s march toward the same goal in the Commonwealth Coast Conference by upsetting the Scots 74-63. Gordon entered the night 9-0 in conference while the Chargers were just 4-5. Freshman Jason Chevrefils scored 19 points to give the Scots their first loss since December.

&&g-boxr&&St. Joseph�s (L.I.) inched closer to Skyline Conference leader SUNY-Old Westbury by nipping the Panthers in a defensive struggle 49-48. No. 21 Brandeis held off Amherst 71-55 in the Judges� tune-up for Friday night�s showdown with No. 3 Washington U. Hobart hit 14 three-pointers to beat Hamilton 81-67 and help ensure that the Liberty League ends with its usual need for tiebreakers. The Statesmen are in a three-way tie for second, one game behind St. Lawrence. More men�s scores.

Ithaca finished off Utica 64-62 and wrapped up a share of the Empire 8 title and playoff hosting privileges in the process. The Bombers sit atop the NCAA's first East region rankings with the second rankings due for release tomorrow. More women's scores.

No. 1 Amherst remained unbeaten by beating Bridgewater State 85-60 behind Lem Atanga McCormick's 25 points and 10 rebounds. No. 22 Farmingdale State did the same in taking care of Polytechnic 88-80. Emerson's 70-67 win at Emmanuel pulls the Lions into a tie for first place with Norwich in the GNAC. Sophomores Kelley Paradis and Margo Russell combined for 24 second-half points to lead the University of New England past Endicott 61-58 in a battle of The Commonwealth Coast Conference's top two women's teams.