POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. - Top-seeded Walsh (Ohio) punched the first ticket into the national semifinals as they defeated #8 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 82-77. The Cavaliers return to the semi's for the third time and first since their 2005 national championship season. The 2010 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Tournament is being played at the Keeter Gymnasium in Point Lookout, Mo.

Walsh has still never trailed in their three games at the national tournament as they opened up a quick 14-6 lead in Saturday's match-up against Embry-Riddle. A three-pointer by Eagles' guard Eric Lorenzi cut it to one (14-13) at the midpoint of the first half but senior forward Ricky Jackson took over and scored five straight Walsh points to give his team a 23-15 lead. The Cavaliers led by eight, 34-26 at the half. Jackson scored 11 first half points while Lorenzi totaled 11 for Embry-Riddle.

Another basket by Jackson followed by a jumper by Kenny Kornowski gave Walsh its largest lead of the game, 45-35. It was still a 10-point Cavaliers lead when Embry Riddle made a charge and after a Ray Graham three-pointer from the corner, the Eagles' were within three, 57-54. Still a three-point game, Walsh guards Brandon Speck and Jeremy Shardo hit back-to-back three-pointers, the later with the shot-clock winding down, to put the Cavs back up seven. Embry-Riddle had one more run left, cutting the lead to three after 2-of-3 free throws by Lorenzi but Jackson and Lamar Skeeter made a pair of free throws to seal the Cavs in.

Walsh shot 42% for the game and converted 20-of-23 free throw attempts. Jackson recorded his third double-double of the tournament with 25 points and 10 rebounds. The senior came into the game tied for fifth in scoring average at the tournament (26) and second in rebounding (13). Three other Cavs' players were in double figures with Shardo (12), Skeeter (10) and L.J. Sutton (10). Walsh outrebounded Embry-Riddle 43-30.

The Eagles' were led by Lorenzi's 27 points, going 10-for-21 from the field. David Butler added 14 and Ray Graham scored 10. Embry-Riddle shot just under 40% for the game but struggled from the perimeter against the Cavs' defense, shooting 28% (5/18). The Eagles end the season with a very impressive 30-6 record.

Walsh, now 31-2, advances to play in its third semifinals on Monday and will face the winner of #4 Bellevue (Neb.) or #5 Indiana Southeast at 6:00pm. The Cavs' are 1-1 all-time in the semifinals, defeating Oregon Tech in 2005 and losing to College of Idaho in 1996.