Hawaii tops WSU, advances to 1st Diamond Head Classic final
The Hawaii bench reacts to play against Washington State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Honolulu. Hawaii defeated Washington State 62-51. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Marco Garcia]
HONOLULU (AP) — Samuta Avea scored 19 points and tournament host Hawaii advanced to the final of the Diamond Head Classic for the first time with a 62-51 victory over Washington State. Hawaii, which has hosted the event 11 times since 2009, will play SMU in the championship game on Sunday. The Classic wasn’t played in 2019 because of COVID-19 and COVID also forced the cancellation of last year’s final between Stanford and Vanderbilt. Avea made 8 of 14 shots with two 3-pointers for the Rainbow Warriors (8-3). Jovon McClanahan finished with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting, adding six rebounds and four assists. Noel Coleman scored 13. TJ Bamba led the Cougars (5-7) with 19 points on 6-of-18 shooting.
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Washington State guard Kymany Houinsou (31) grabs a rebound away from Hawaii forward Bernardo da Silva (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Marco Garcia
Hawaii guard Samuta Avea (32) dribbles past Washington State forward Mouhamed Gueye (35) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Marco Garcia