Box Score | Postgame Notes
Photo Gallery

HONOLULU (AP) -- Zhuric Phelps scored 19 points and Zach Nutall hit a big 3-pointer in the final minute to send SMU to a 77-74 victory over Utah State in the semifinals of the Diamond Head Classic on Friday night.

Phelps added eight rebounds and four assists for the Mustangs (5-7). Nutall connected from beyond the arc with 33 seconds left to give SMU a two-possession lead.

Samuell Williamson had 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting with three steals for SMU. Nutall finished with 13 points and Efe Odigie scored 12. Stefan Todorovic added 10 points off the bench.

Sean Bairstow and Max Shulga paced the Aggies (10-2) with 18 points apiece. Bairstow grabbed eight rebounds. Steven Ashworth scored 15. Utah State has lost two of its last three games after a 9-0 start.

SMU will play the winner of the other semifinal between Washington State and Hawaii in the final on Sunday.



SMU Postgame Notes – December 23, 2022
Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic – Day 2 (Semifinal)
SMU 77, [rv/rv] Utah State 74
SMU (5-7), Utah State (10-2)
SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center – Honolulu, Hawaii
 
Schedule | Roster | Media Hub
 
NEXT GAME
 
Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic – Day 3 (Championship)
vs Washington State (5-6) or Hawaii (7-3) – Sunday, December 25 – 7:30pm CT / 3:30pm HT – SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center – Honolulu, Hawaii
TV: ESPN2
Radio: KAAM 770 AM | Audio Streaming: SMU App (Google Play | Apple App Store)
SMU Basketball Yearbook | SMU Digital Game Program | Gameday Central
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
 
NOTES
 
Starters: #1 Zhuric Phelps (G, So.), #2 Jalen Smith (#=G, So.), #10 Zach Nutall (G, Sr.), #11 Samuell Williamson (F, Sr.), #23 Efe Odigie (F, Sr.)

• Fourth time using this starting lineup (Texas A&M Commerce 11/7, at Dayton 11/11, vs Iona 12/22)

 
Zach Nutall hit a 3-pointer with 33 seconds left to put SMU up 74-68, then assisted on an alley-oop to Samuell Williamson with 16 second left for a 76-68 advantage
 
SMU had five score in double figures: Zach Nutall (13), Efe Odigie (12), Zhuric Phelps (19), Stefan Todorovic (10), Samuell Williamson (15)

• First time with at least 5 in double figures since 11/15/2021 vs Northwestern State (W, 95-48)
• Phelps has been in double figures every game this season, entered leading the American Athletic Conference at 19.5 points per game (27^th NCAA), 8^th straight game with 19+ points

 
SMU outscored Utah State 42-26 in the paint

• Had a 42-24 advantage vs Iona in the first round

 
SMU shot a 48.3% on field goals after shooting 60.0% in the win over Iona
 
SMU had a season-best 5 turnovers (was 9 twice)
 
SMU had 16 assists on 29 made FGs (second-highest this season – 20 vs Lamar 11/27)
 
Season-best 88.2% on free throws, hitting 15-17 (12-13 2^nd half)

• Stefan Todorovic 5-5, Efe Odigie 3-3, Zhuric Phelps 3-4

 
Season-high 40 points in the first half (was 38 vs Lamar 11/27)

• Led 40-32 at halftime

 
SMU RUNS
 
SMU had a pair of 7-0 runs and a 6-0 run to build a 27-15 lead at 8:13 of the 1^st half
With the game tied at 30-30, SMU closed the half 10-2 over the last 3:12 to lead 40-32 at the half
 
ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUAL NOTES
 
Zach Nutall (#10, Sr., G)

• 13 points with 3 assists
  • Entered game averaging 14.3 points (14^th AAC) and 1.9 threes made per game (13^th AAC)
  • 10+ points in 9 of 12 games

 
Efe Odigie (#23, SR, F)

• 12 points and 3 rebounds
  • Entered game averaging 8.4 rebounds (2^nd AAC)
• 3-3 on FTs, entered game at 75.8% (15^th AAC)
• 1-1 on 3-pointers, first make of the season (entered game 0-3)

 
Zhuric Phelps (#1, So., G)

• 19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 assists
  • Entered game averaging 19.5 points (1^st AAC, 27^th NCAA), 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals (7^th AAC)
  • Scored in double figures every game this season (9^th game with 19+, 8^th straight)
  • 8 rebounds is one off career high, 4 assists is also one off career high

 
Jalen Smith (#2, So., G)

• Tied season high 4 rebounds
• Tied career high 3 assists

 
Stefan Todorovic (#3, So., F)

• 10 points, 2 rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot
  • 5^th game scoring 10+ this season, all in past 8 games

 
Samuell Williamson (#11, Sr., F)

• Season-high 15 points (was 14) with 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 assists
  • Entered game averaging 7.3 rebounds (5^th AAC), 1.5 steals (9^th AAC), 1.2 blocked shots (9^th AAC)
  • 5^th game this season scoring 10+