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For Wooster junior guard James Cooper, the journey to Salem, Va., isn't a vacation — it's more like a business trip.

"I'm here to win first," Cooper said. "If we win both games, then I'll be ready to have fun. Until then, I'm here to win."

The South grad Cooper and the Scots will play Amherst College in the first of two Division III NCAA tournament semifinal games at the Salem Civic Center at 6 p.m. today. Defending champion Virginia Wesleyan, which beat Wittenberg to win the title last season, will play Washington University in the other semifinal.

The winners will meet in the championship game at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Cooper dominated Wooster's 94-87 overtime win over Brockport State (N.Y.) in the quarterfinals at St. John Fisher College in Pitsford, N.Y. on March 10. He scored 34 points, including nine in overtime to help the Scots advance to the Final Four for the second time in school history.

Now his team is in Salem with a chance to win the program's first national championship.

"We want to be a part of that," Cooper said.

Cooper admitted he was just feeling it against Brockport State.

"I guess you could say that," he said.

Cooper called the victory over Brockport State "probably the biggest game" in his career. He was also named the sectional MVP.

"There was just so much emotion," said Cooper, who's averaging a team-high 18.6 points per game. "All we wanted was to get to the Final Four."

The Scots, ranked second nationally by the D3hoops.com poll, are making their second trip to the Final Four in five years. They finished third in 2003.

Amherst is ranked fourth in the nation. It's an experienced team with lots of size.

"It's going to take tough defense," Cooper said. "All of these teams have offensive weapons. It's going to take teamwork as well."

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365 or by e-mail at mcooper@coxohio.com.