Tulsa falls to SDSU in semifinal of Diamond Head Classic

HONOLULU (AP) — Jeremy Hemsley scored 20 points that included three 3-pointers during a flurry of seven straight Aztec treys that broke the game open and sent San Diego State to an 82-63 victory over Tulsa in the semifinals of the Diamond Head Classic on Friday.

With the score tied and 11 minutes to go, the Aztecs went on a 21-4 run with the seven 3-pointers over a span of 5:13 to lead 73-56.

“San Diego State shot the ball well, but we didn't help ourselves with 23 turnovers. We have to be tough with the ball,” said Tulsa head coach Frank Haith. “Their length makes it tough, but a lot of our turnovers came from us being too loose with the ball. We had too many unforced turnovers.

“We rebounded the ball well, but our inability to take care of the ball did us in. Our quick shots speared their offense, and that hurt us. They had 5 threes in a row and that's how they got their separation. We weren't able to score in that stretch, and that was the difference in the game.”

SDSU (7-4) came in averaging 33 percent from the arc but made 13-of-32 for 41 percent against Tulsa, including a buzzer-beating bank shot by Trey Kell from just inside halfcourt that gave the Aztecs a 41-37 halftime lead.

Hemsley finished with five 3-pointers. Kell, with three treys, scored 19 points, and made five steals. Zylan Cheatham added 15 points.

Junior Etou scored 18 points and Lawson Korita 10 for the Golden Hurricane (6-5), which committed 23 turnovers, 16 on steals, and led to 26 Aztec points.

“We played a pretty good first half,” said Haith. “San Diego State is a tough-minded team and very physical, and it's the type of team that you can't give any help. We weren't as tough as you need to be to win that type of game. We'll learn from this game, and have to get ready to play another game on Sunday.”