Notables

Friday night showed why having a deep roster is so important to making a deep tournament run.

No. 11 Amherst held All-American Jess McEntee to seven points and just one field goal and the Lord Jeffs dominated No. 14 NYU, 74-51. Four of Amherst's five starters scored double figures led by Shannon Finucane's 18 points. Like Amherst, No. 25 Brandeis advanced to the sectional finals for the first time in program history with a balanced scoring attack. The Judges defeated Muhlenberg 82-70 as all five Brandies starters scored double figures.

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No. 2 Hope got big contributions from its starters and its reserves in beating No. 7 Thomas More, 67-51. Erika Bruinsma came off the bench to tally 11 points and five boards. All-American candidate Carrie Snikkers chalked up 11 points and 14 rebounds while Jenny Cowen scored 18 for the Flying Dutch. They will face No. 3 George Fox in a rematch of last year's sectional semifinal. The Bruins kept their undefeated run going with a victory over Oglethorpe, 71-56. George Fox used an 18-0 second half run to break a tie game wide open.

No. 1 Illinois Wesleyan also stayed undefeated by ousting No. 4 UW-Stevens Point 77-64. Christina Solari led the Titans' attack again with 18 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. Illinois Wesleyan shot 52 percent from the field. No. 6 Washington U. reached its ninth Sweet 16 with a 56-43 victory over St. Benedict. The Bears out rebounded the Blazers 43-33.

While being ranked is nice, it isn't everything. Just ask TCNJ who upset No. 8 Rochester 70-58, giving the Lions three wins in three games against ranked tournament opponents. Hillary Klimowicz (19 points) and Alexandra Gregorek (14 points) led TCNJ to the sectional finals where No. 20 Scranton waits after edging No. 12 York (Pa.) 50-46. The Lady Royals held the Spartans to 19 points and 28 percent shooting in the second half. “This team has proven that it can win ugly,” said Scranton head coach Mike Strong. “We definitely knew it was coming down to the wire. We’re a young team, but we kept our composure.”