ESPN Men's Basketball

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Antwan Walton finally found a way to silence his coach.

Walton collected 19 points, 11 rebounds and the go-ahead basket to help Virginia Union hold off Bryant 63-58 for the NCAA Division II men's basketball championship on Saturday.

"I've really been in his ear," Panthers head coach Dave Robbins said. "After the game I told him, 'Antwan, you don't have to listen to me fuss anymore.'"

Walton's three-point play after a driving jump shot 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 six seconds remaining.

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

Walton was named the tournament's outstanding player. He had 43 points and a tourney-high 31 rebounds in three games.

"It's a good feeling to be honored, but like coach said, I'm sitting up here with two other MVPs," said Walton, referring to Jabber and Duan Crockett.

Crockett added 12 points and six rebounds for the Panthers (30-4).

Chris Burns came off the bench to lead Bryant (25-9) with 25 points, including six 3-point field goals. He was 5-of-6 from 3-point range in the second half.

Bryant, which trailed most of the way, went on a 8-0 run and tied the game at 58 on a 3-pointer by Burns with 2:30 left. After the teams traded possessions without scoring, the 6-foot-4 Walton drove on 6-11 center Mike Williams to score and draw the foul. Walton's free throw made it 61-58.

The Bulldogs had the ball out of bounds near their basket with seven seconds left, but Jaaber broke up a pass by Cullen McCarthy. Bryant head coach Max Good said he should have called time out when McCarthy became surrounded.

"That's my fault," Good said. "I clutched."

Jaaber, the leading free-throw shooter in Division II, drilled both tosses for the final margin.

"Our scorekeepers just put them down before he shoots them," Robbins said.

Virginia Union had an overwhelming edge at the free-throw line, hitting 18-of-20 shots. The Bulldogs were 4-of-4 on free throws.

Burns took over shooting chores for Bryant after the Panthers bottled up point guard John Williams with their zone defense. Williams had averaged 26 points in the first two tournament games.

"I had to open it up," Burns said. "I had to make them play me so John could get his shots."

John Williams settled for 12 points, 10 in the second half. He was 4-of-15 from the field.

Before the game, about 75 protesters from University of North Dakota groups opposed to the school's use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo held a march and rally outside Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press