Salem, Va. (3/1/08) - Ben Strong scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in top-seeded Guilford College's 67-57 win over number-four Roanoke College Saturday night in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Tournament semifinals at the Salem Civic Center.

The Quakers (23-4) advance to their first ODAC Tournament final against second-seeded Virginia Wesleyan College, a 68-55 winner over number-six Hampden-Sydney College in the other semifinal. Ranked 12th in this week's D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll, Guilford has won 15 straight games, the team's longest streak since the 1969-70 club won 29 in a row. Roanoke's season ends with an 18-9 record.

"It feels great to be the first to make it to the finals," Strong said, "but we'd like to win it tomorrow."

The tightly played game featured eight ties, including a 26-26 deadlock at halftime. The teams were knotted at 40 midway through the second half before Guilford got some breathing room with a Caleb Kimbrough three-pointer followed by a Clay Henson basket that opened a 50-44 spread with 7:07 remaining in regulation.

Consecutive baskets by Curtis Peery kept Roanoke within 52-48 with 5:50 left before a 6-0 Guilford spurt opened a 58-48 margin with 3:40 to play. Marvin Felix's three-pointer with 1:53 left made it a 60-53 game, but the Maroons missed four shots and turned the ball over once over its next four possessions. Guilford built its lead to 14 by making six-of-seven free throws in the final minute.

The Quakers started the week ranked first in NCAA Division III in rebounding margin and enjoyed a 51-31 advantage on the glass against the Maroons. Guilford grabbed 16 offensive caroms, leading to 19 points. Roanoke's nine offensive boards resulted in six points. The Quakers outscored Roanoke in the paint, 40-16, thanks in part to Strong, the ODAC's Player of the Year, who logged his 20th double-double of the season. Classmate Eric Belkoski scored eight of his 13 points in the second half and had nine rebounds. Kimbrough finished with 11 points, nine in the second half.

"We wanted to shut down inside and not let them get anything in the paint; not let them drive it and I thought we did a phenomenal job of that," Guilford coach Tom Palombo said. "They had to rely on the perimeter and fortunately they missed some and we were able to get the rebound."

Roanoke used six three pointers to stay close in the first half, but made just two-of-12 shots from beyond the arc in the second period. Felix paced the Maroons' offense with 14 points off the bench. Peery finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. A.J. Dowell scored five points and dealt a game-best seven assists.