KYLE GREEN The Roanoke Times

Guilford's Rhett Bonner (middle back) and George Neville (left) battle for a loose ball with Washington-St. Louis player Aaron Thompson.

One year after a Ruthian-like performance propelled Washington University to a NCAA Division III men's basketball championship in Salem, a couple of other long-ball hitters have put the St. Louis-based school in position for a second straight national title.

Twelve months in the wake of Troy Ruths' 33-point, 17-rebound show that carried them in the title game, the Bears rode long-range bombardiers Aaron Thompson and Sean Wallis to a 77-58 conquest of Guilford College in Friday's semifinal at the Salem Civic Center.

Washington (28-2) will face Richard Stockton College (30-2) in today's 3 p.m. championship.

Thompson was 8-for-12 from 3-point range for a game-high 30 points, and Wallis drained three consecutive bombs during a game-deciding 14-0 spurt midway in the second half to terminate the season for Guilford (25-6).

"They're really, really good if people hadn't figured that out," Guilford coach Tom Palombo said.

Guilford, which entered the game ranked among the nation's top 10 in field-goal percentage defense (38.8) and rebounding margin (plus 7.6), had no answers for this bunch. Washington was 30-for-55 from the field (54.5 percent) and 13-for-25 from beyond the arc (52 percent).

"They have so many weapons," Palombo said. "It was Thompson for a while. He's really hard to guard. Then we had a nice run ... we had the momentum going our way and we felt like we our crowd had gotten into it, and then [Wallis] made some plays."

Guilford, which had trailed by as many as 17 in the first half, cut a 39-26 halftime deficit to 46-41 with an 11-3 run. The Quakers' contingent that had made the two-hour hike from Greensboro, N.C., was standing and going wild when Washington called a timeout at the 12:51 mark.

"We regrouped," Bears forward Taylor Nading said. "We've been through situations like that all year and that's kinda what we take pride in. Coach took a timeout and huddled us and said, 'OK, guys, this is where our tough games from the season come into play.' So we kept our calm and we went on a 14-0 run."

The first 11 points were supplied by Wallis. The senior point guard scored on a baseline drive, then banged home 3s on the Bears' next three possessions. Thompson's 3-pointer on the Bears' next trip down floor completed the 14-0 salvo.

"They were just calling plays for me, and when you've got it going like that, you've got to keep shooting," said Wallis, who was 3-for-6 from long range and finished with 15 points. "It was a great feeling to hit some shots in this atmosphere of a final four."

Last March, Wallis was not dressed for the final four, having suffered a broken right leg and a torn MCL in Washington's third game.

"Last year, I got almost no sleep the night before the national championship game," Wallis said. "Because Amherst [last year's runner-up] was the team I had been scouting for the coaches all week. I'm glad the coaches kept me involved. But it's a completely different feeling when you're out on the court helping your team win. To have a game like today ... it's something I'm really grateful for after all the rehab and surgeries from last year."

Thompson, whose eight 3-pointers matched a final four record, also had a game-high nine rebounds. He threw his praise at Wallis.

"I never have to create for myself ... Sean is always giving me ball in the position I have to have it in," Thompson said. "It feels good, though."

Clay Henson's 23 points paced the Quakers, who were making their first trip to the final four.

"Every time we got it close, somebody on their team would hit a big shot," Henson said. "Give them credit. Washington had the better game."

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY-ST. LOUIS (28-2)

Smith 2-6 0-0 5, Wallis 6-11, 0-0 15, Nading 4-10 1-1 9, Thompson 11-16 0-0 30, Kelly 0-3 1-2 1, Kelley 1-1 0-1 2, Seymour 0-0 0-1 0, Sapp 0-0 0-0 0, Wolf 2-2 0-0 4, Elder 1-1 0-0 2, Greenberg 0-0 0-0 0, Gay 0-0 0-0 0, Knepper 1-2 0-0 3, Toth 2-3 2-3 6, Appel 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-55 4-8 77.

GUILFORD (25-6)

Henson 7-19 4-4 23, Sanborn 5-8 1-2 11, Neville 0-2 1-2 1, Stanley 0-0 0-0 0, Bonner 3-6 1-2 9, Alston 1-1 2-2 5, Lowder 0-1 1-2 1, Anderson 0-0 2-2 2, High 0-2 0-0 0, Stephenson 1-2 0-0 2, Jackson 0-0 0-0 0, Monroe 0-0 0-0 0, Cooney 0-0 0-0 0, Cloyd 1-1 0-0 2, Stafford 0-1 2-2 2. Totals 18-43 14-18 58.

Halftime --Washington 39-26. 3-point goals--Washington 13-25 (Thompson 8-12, Wallis 3-6, Toth 2-3, Smith 1-4, Knepper 1-2, Nading 0-1), Guilford 8-18 (Henson 5-12, Bonner 2-4, Alston 1-1, Lowder 0-1). Fouled Out -- None. Rebounds -- Washington 32 (Thompson 9), Guilford 23 (Sanborn 7). Assists -- Washington 23 (Smith 6), Guilford 8 (Anderson 3). Total Fouls -- Washington 18 Guilford 16. A--2,223.