Lexi Rohrbach and Baldwin Wallace gained first place in the OAC. Baldwin Wallace athletics file photo

The first set of NCAA regional rankings released on Wednesday provided one perspective on the close women's conference races. Then Wednesday night's games provided another, sometimes contradictory, look.

• First regional rankings released
• Wednesday's women's scores
• Wednesday's men's scores
• More women's game stories
• More men's game stories

The first Great Lakes ranking had John Carroll ranked fourth, in front of OAC foes Ohio Northern and Baldwin Wallace. But Baldwin Wallace went to John Carroll and beat the Blue Streaks 78-71 to sweep the regular season series and seize first place in the OAC. Alissa Munro hit a three-pointer to key a 13-2 run that gave the Yellowjackets the lead for good. Ohio Northern, which split its series with Baldwin Wallace, beat Heidelberg 62-54 to keep pace.

No. 10 York (Pa.) sits atop the first Atlantic Region rankings, two slots ahead of No. 13 Christopher Newport. The Spartans took care of St. Mary's (Md.) 64-43 to clinch a bye in the CAC tournament. The Captains were shut down by Mary Washington and lost at home, 74-44. Christopher Newport's starters combined for 20 points. The results give York (Pa.) sole possession of first place with three games left.

No. 16 St. Thomas and No. 20 St. Mary's (Minn.) are tied for first in the MIAC, but the Tommies are picked just ahead of the Cardinals in the West rankings. Tonight's games won't help the committee too much since both teams won.

Clark needed a win to only stay alive in the NEWMAC playoff hunt and defeated Wellesley 54-51 to deliver coach Pat Glispin her 500th career coaching victory.

Illinois Wesleyan started its stretch run with a loss to up-tempo North Central (Ill.), 121-113.  The Titans are two games behind Carthage, whom they host on Saturday.

For just the second time this year, No. 8 FDU-Florham trailed at the break. Wilkes had a two-point halftime advantage, but the Devils rallied past the Colonels, 66-49. DeSales secured its spot in the Freedom Conference playoffs by beating Manhattanville, 65-51.

The University of New England followed its appearance in the first Northeast rankings by doubling-up Gordon, 82-41. Castleton State, which is ninth in those rankings, lost to Colby-Sawyer, 66-56.

Messiah mashed Stevenson 76-45 and moved into first place in the Commonwealth. Chelsea Daniel and Katelyn Vanderhoff each scored 16 points, two more than the Mustangs' starters. Lycoming edged Lebanon Valley 56-54 to knock the Flying Dutchmen out of first.