San Diego State beats USF for Diamond Head Classic title

Dec 25, 2016, 10:44 pm

HONOLULU -- Zylan Cheatham had 16 points and 11 rebounds to help San Diego State beat San Francisco 62-48 on Sunday night for the Diamond Head Classic championship.

San Diego State (8-4) hit nine 3-poiners against the Dons to set a tournament record with 29 makes over three games.

San Francisco got within two points -- for the fourth time in the second half -- with 11:46 remaining but the Dons couldn't get any closer the rest of the way. SDSU's Jeremy Hemsley hit a 3-pointer with 4:19 left for a 10-point lead.

Hemsley, who entered averaging 16.6 points in his sophomore season, picked up his fourth foul with 18:49 left in the second half and finished with 12 points. Malik Pope missed his second straight game for the Aztecs due to a knee injury suffered in the quarterfinals.

The Aztecs led 32-28 at halftime after shooting 50 percent. Charles Minlend kept USF close by making three 3-pointers and scoring 13 points.

Minlend finished with 18 points for San Francisco (10-3). The Dons, who entered ranked fifth nationally at 42.7 percent from 3-point range, made just 4 of 20 from distance.