One game left in the non-conference season, let's get to it.
Last Night
S. Vermont 58 #2 Nichols 70
Nichols held a small 5 point lead at the half which S. Vermont quickly shrunk after the break. The visitors just wouldn't go away and clawed back within 1 point several times during the half, but Nichols kept finding a way to stay in front. They weren't able to pull away until there were less than three minutes left in the game when they finally extended the lead into double digits. S. Vermont only scored 3 points in the final four and a half minutes and that pretty much killed any chance at drama. Nichols and cactus moved up one spot in the rankings after the win.
Also considered: #3 Piedmont gave up a late jumpshot to force overtime but pulled away in the extra session to beat Wentworth Tech 88-82, #11 Palm Beach Atlantic got past Ohio Wesleyan 72-58, Penn St. Altoona went on the road and upset Hardin-Simmons 73-51, and #17 Whittier outlasted North Carolina Wesleyan 79-70.
Sim blowout watch: All three sims covered with ease and all lost by similar-ish amounts. Shenandoah fell to #14 Wisconsin La Crosse 54-72, Elmira lost to #12 W. New England 62-86, and Rutgers Newark was defeated by #1 Millsaps 52-79.
GotN
#9 Lynchburg (8-1)(googs04) at #12 W. New England (9-0)(rednu)
It's Old Dominion at the Great Northeast to close out the non-conference slate with two highly ranked teams looking to finish strong. Lynchburg will also be looking to recover from their first loss last night while WNE is going for the perfect 10-0 run. googs won the previous game between these two but the home team is favored by a point.
Also considered: #1 Millsaps at #21 Capital, Merchant Marines at #11 Palm Beach Altantic, Virginia Wesleyan at #17 Whittier, North Carolina Wesleyan at #18 Calvin, and Emmanuel at #23 Sewanee
Sim blowout watch: And the blowout watch closes the non-conference season in style! Johnson St is a massive 95 point home dog as they get a visit from #5 Johnson and Wales. Time to see if J-Dub will have any mercy for their fellow Johnsons.