The NCAA Division II Seasiders beat three NCAA Division I teams in four days to win the four-team, round-robin tournament. They are believed to be the first NCAA-II team to win an exempted NCAA tournament by beating three Division I teams (in exempted tournaments, teams can play as many as four games and count it as only one toward their scheduling maximum of 27).

"We might not have the size and depth as Division I teams, but shooting-wise and playing well together, we do feel like we can play with anybody," BYUH head coach Ken Wagner said.

BYUH shot 10 of 20 from 3-point range, and 27 of 36 from the free-throw line. Sophomore guard Shawn Opunui led the Seasiders with 27 points, including 3 of 4 shooting from 3-point range, and 14 of 16 free throws. He was named the most valuable player of the tournament.

"Every win is big," he said. "But this gives us extra confidence and tells us we can play with any team, Division I or Division II."

The Seasiders, who have won eight consecutive games, are 9-2 with the only two losses on the road to NCAA-I teams Hawai'i and Colorado State.

Three other Seasider starters besides Opunui scored in double figures: Beau Nobmann (17), Jake Chrisman (14) and Michael Stowell (11). The fifth starter, Austin Smylie, had eight points, five assists and a game-high 10 rebounds.

The Spartans, who compete in the Western Athletic Conference, lost their composure, their coach and the game last night.

San Jose State was assessed five technical fouls and one intentional foul during the game. Head coach Phil Johnson was ejected late in the first half after receiving two technical fouls for arguing calls.

"We came out the first five minutes and set the tone ... played really poor," Johnson said. "We were running around like chickens with their heads cut off and I coached about as bad as we played."

Four different BYUH players scored during a 12-2 run midway through the first half that put the Seasiders ahead, 22-13.

Johnson was assessed his consecutive technical fouls with four minutes remaining in the half, and Opunui converted all four free throws to increase the Seasiders' lead to 31-20.

Assistant coach Dennis Cutts took over for Johnson the remainder of the game.

The Seasiders took a 33-25 advantage at intermission, then opened the second half with an 8-2 surge to increase their lead to an insurmountable 43-27. The Spartans never got closer than seven the rest of the way.

San Jose State was called for 22 fouls to BYUH's 16. As a result, the Seasiders were 27 of 36 on free throws to the Spartans' 10 of 15.

Even though he missed the final 24 minutes of the game, Johnson was impressed with the Seasiders.

"They're the champions of this tournament and deservedly so," he said. "They're the best offensive team we've played this year, maybe the best overall team."

Brett Lilly scored 17 points to lead the Spartans, who dropped to 5-4.

• Baylor 69, Northern Illinois 59: Harvey Thomas scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Bears (5-6) over the Huskies (4-7) for third place.

Thomas scored 22 in the second half, including nine during a 14-3 surge that turned a 46-45 deficit into a 59-49 Baylor lead with 7:24 remaining. Northern Illinois never got closer than seven the rest of the way.

Marcus Smallwood led the Huskies with 18 points and 15 rebounds.

• All-tournament team: MVP—Shawn Opunui (BYUH), Eric Walton (San Jose State), Jake Chrisman (BYUH), Brett Lilly (San Jose State), Terrance Thomas (Baylor), Marcus Smallwood (Northern Illinois).