Washburn cleans up on SPU despite Smith’s big game

Brooke Ubelaker scored 22 points and Juwanna Rivers added 20 Saturday to lead Washburn (Kan.) to the NCAA Division II women’s basketball championship with a 70-53 victory over Seattle Pacific at Hot Springs, Ark.

Carli Smith (Valley Christian High) paced Seattle Pacific (30-3) with 14 points and 13 rebounds. She made 6 of 8 shots from the field. Brittney Wood also had 14 points for the Falcons and Michelle Beaumont added 10.

Lora Westling added 12 points for Washburn (35-2), which never trailed after the opening seconds. The Lady Blues held Seattle Pacific to 20 percent shooting in the first half and led 29-19 at the break.

The Falcons were hurt by poor 3-point shooting. The team finished 5 of 27 from beyond the arc, while Washburn made 11 of 27 3-point attempts.

Men

Antwan Walton scored 19 points and notched the go-ahead basket to help Virginia Union hold off Bryant 63-58 in the men’s championship at Grand Forks, N.D.

Walton’s three-point play after a driving basket and free throw gave the Panthers a 61-58 lead with 1:29 left. Luqman Jaaber sealed the victory by forcing a steal and hitting two free throws with 6 seconds remaining.

It was the third championship for Virginia Union, which also won in 1980 and 1992.

The Panthers finished their season at 30-4. Bryant ended 25-9.