Thompson leads Cougars in Diamond Head Classic opener

HONOLULU (AP) - Klay Thompson scored 28 points to lead Washington State past Mississippi State 83-57 Tuesday in the opening round of the Diamond Head Classic.

Thompson was 10 of 20 from the field, and Faisal Aden came off the bench to score 20 points for the Cougars (9-1), who won their fourth straight.

The Bulldogs (7-4) held a 40-39 lead at halftime, but Washington State used a 14-0 run early in the second half to take a 57-45 lead and pull away for good.

Kodi Augustus led Mississippi State with 19 points, and Brian Bryant had 14. Leading scorer Ravern Johnson, who was averaging 22.4 points, was held to three on 1-of-10 shooting.

Washington State shot 50 percent from the field, while Mississippi State shot 34.5 percent and committed 21 turnovers.

Washington State plays Baylor in the semifinals today.

MISSISSIPPI ST. (7-4)

Augustus 6-15 5-6 19, Bailey 1-3 1-2 3, Johnson 1-10 0-0 3, Benock 2-4 0-0 6, Bryant 5-9 3-4 14, Steele 1-6 2-4 5, Beckham 1-3 0-0 3, Smith 0-2 0-0 0, Lewis 2-3 0-0 4. Totals 19-55 11-16 57.

WASHINGTON ST. (9-1)

Casto 2-3 2-4 6, Lodwick 3-5 0-0 9, Capers 2-4 2-4 6, Thompson 10-20 4-5 28, Moore 2-3 0-0 6, DiIorio 0-1 0-0 0, Aden 8-14 1-2 20, Motum 3-7 0-0 6, Loewen 0-0 0-0 0, Winston Jr. 1-2 0-1 2, Enquist 0-1 0-0 0, Simon 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 31-62 9-16 83.

Halftime_Mississippi St. 40-39. 3-Point Goals_Mississippi St. 8-28 (Benock 2-4, Augustus 2-7, Beckham 1-2, Bryant 1-3, Steele 1-5, Johnson 1-6, Smith 0-1), Washington St. 12-24 (Thompson 4-9, Lodwick 3-5, Aden 3-5, Moore 2-2, Motum 0-1, Simon 0-2). Fouled Out_Bailey. Rebounds_Mississippi St. 29 (Benock 7), Washington St. 42 (Aden 7). Assists_Mississippi St. 10 (Bryant 5), Washington St. 10 (Moore 4). Total Fouls_Mississippi St. 15, Washington St. 18. Technical_Casto. A_NA.