Box Score | Dan Muller Interview
MiKyle McIntosh Interview
HONOLULU – In a game that included eight ties and five lead changes, San Francisco (10-2) pulled away late to secure a 66-58 semifinal win over Illinois State (7-4) Friday night at the Diamond Head Classic. The Redbirds will face Tulsa – for the second time this season – in the tournament's third-place game Sunday at 5 p.m. CT.
Illinois State's defense limited San Francisco to 22-for-60 (36.7 percent) shooting from the field. However, the Redbirds were held to a 23-for-76 (30.3 percent) effort from the field. ISU outrebounded the Dons, 50-47, but San Francisco committed 10 turnovers compared to seven by ISU.
MiKyle McIntosh and Deontae Hawkins each recorded double-doubles, as McIntosh scored 20 points and collected 12 rebounds, and Hawkins netted 12 points with 10 boards. San Francisco's Matt McCarthy also earned a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Illinois State built an 8-3 lead to start the game, with two field goals by DJ Clayton during the opening stretch. San Francisco responded by scoring eight-unanswered points, including two 3-pointers, to take a 14-10 advantage. The Redbirds regained the lead with an 8-2 run which pushed Illinois State ahead, 18-16, on a Paris Lee layup at the 11:57 mark.
The teams proceeded to exchange baskets over the remaining 13 minutes of the first half, and with Madison Williams' fast-break buzzer-beating dunk, Illinois State took a 31-29 halftime advantage.
ISU shot 40.6 percent in the first half compared to 27.8 percent by San Francisco, and the Redbirds outrebounded the Dons, 23-22. McIntosh led all first-half scorers with 14 points.
San Francisco scored first in the second half, as Nate Renfro netted a backdoor layup to tie the game at 31 points apiece. ISU responded with four-straight to take a 35-31 advantage. The Dons then went on a 7-0 run to pull ahead, 38-35, on a McCarthy dunk at the 13:38 mark. Dunks by Daouda "David" Ndiaye and Phil Fayne closed ISU's gap to 40-39 with 11:38 remaining. However, a Charles Minlend 3-pointer at the 11:07 mark pushed the San Francisco lead to 43-39.
Illinois State netted four straight points on a Hawkins jumper followed by a Lee steal and subsequent lay-in to tie the game, 43-43, with 9:53 remaining. But, the Dons outscored ISU, 13-4, over the next five and a half minutes to build a 56-47 advantage on a Minlend layup with 3:59 remaining.
McIntosh stopped the scoring streak by drawing a foul and netting a pair of free throws. The Redbirds pulled to within four points, 58-62, on a Lee 3-pointer with 35 seconds remaining. But, that was as close as ISU could get as San Francisco held off the Redbirds, 66-58.
Following the loss, Illinois State faces Tulsa in the Diamond Head Classic third-place game Sunday at 5 p.m. CT. The game can be watched live on ESPN2 and heard live on WJBC 1230-AM. Tulsa lost to San Diego State Friday in the other semifinal matchup.
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