For the first time in school history, the Washington University men’s basketball team is going to the NCAA Division III National Championship title game.

Wash. U. defeated the No. 1 Hope College team with an 89-74 victory in the Final Four on Friday.

The Bears will take on the No.3 Amherst Lord Jeffs to decide who will be the 2007-08 DIII national champions. Amherst advanced after an 84-58 blowout over No. 16 Ursinus.

“I’m excited about tomorrow,” said senior Troy Ruths. “This is where I’ve always wanted to be and why I chose to come to Wash. U.”

The Red and Green entered the locker room with the score 33-32. The Bears trailed Hope by one point.

But in the second half, the team bounced back in a convincing fashion. Hope quickly put up the first two points of the period but junior Tyler Nading got Wash. U. rolling with a quick fadeaway jumper. Ruths completed a quick three point play to give the Bears a slim lead.

The score seesawed back and forth as Hope and Wash. U. battled for the ball. With the score tied at 46-46, sophomore Aaron Thompson became scathing hot. He nailed one from the three and then sank a jumper on the next play. Thompson made two more threes in a row to put the Bears up 57-51.

After Thompson’s quick 11 points, senior Danny O’Boyle hit a key three and the momentum kept rolling with the Bears. As the game progressed and Hope became more desperate, three Hope players fouled out. The Red and Green capitalized on free throw shooting to cushion their lead.

It came down to teamwork, an incredible 23 of 27 from the free throw line and a solid 56% field goal shooting percentage.

“Our offense started clicking,” said Thompson. “Things just got rolling like that.”

Ruths led the team with 30 points. Thompson and Nading both had 15 while O’Boyle had 12 points.

Hope was fading as the second period progressed. After Thompson fouled Hope’s Derek VanSolkema, there was a push on Hope’s part to regain momentum. But VanSolkema missed all three of his bonus shots. A minute later and two more players from Hope foul out.

“I thought the difference came down to experience in the Final Four,” said Coach Edwards. “They know how to win a national championship.”

Wash. U. also had a great fan presence as a result of the three buses that undertook the 16 hour journey from campus to Salem, Va. Despite one of the buses breaking down in Kentucky, all the fans were able to make the game. With the Bomb Squad, cheerleaders, friends and family, the players didn’t disappoint and expressed their appreciation at the end of the game.

The final game will take place at 4 p.m. ET with live blogging on Student Life’s “Game On” blog as well as live stats from the Athletics Department.

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