HONOLULU — The Southern Methodist University men’s basketball team discovered something about itself thousands of miles away from home.

These Mustangs won’t quit.

SMU surprised onlookers for the second straight day in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, pulling out a 77-74 win at the Stan Sheriff Center over a much more heralded Utah State team to reach the Christmas Day final of the nationally televised tournament.

SMU (5-7), which features a largely rebuilt roster, is only the second team in the event’s 13-year history to reach the championship with a losing record.

“We’re like a lot of teams. We’re a work in progress,” first-year coach Rob Lanier told Spectrum News. “We’ve got 10 new guys who’ve never played together, never won together. We’ve stayed together, even in some low points. Now we’re starting to get our head above water.”

The American Athletic Conference team flew out to the islands on a four-game losing streak, including a home loss to Jackson State that remains the Tigers’ only win of the season.

Lanier’s team rallied from a 12-point deficit in the second half against Iona to win 85-81 in the first round on Thursday. On Friday, the Mustangs led almost the whole way against a 10-1 team from the Mountain West that many considered the tournament favorite.

Guard Zhuric Phelps scored a game-high 19 points and Zach Nutall had the game-clinching sequence of a 3-pointer followed by a lob pass to big man Samuell Williamson.

Williamson scored 15 points, Nutall added 13, Efe Ogidie 12 and Stefan Todorovic 10. 

“I thought in the second half when we went down 12 (to Iona) it was kind of a familiar tale,” Lanier said. “We were either going to change that trend, or it was going to be more of the same. That self-doubt creeped in a little bit. And we fought it, and as a result we broke through and I think we brought that confidence into today.”

Utah State grew reliant on the 3-point shot against SMU’s superior energy and athleticism. The Aggies made 10 3s, but on 36 attempts (27.8%).

SMU shared the ball exceptionally well; it had 16 assists and committed only five turnovers.

“There was an intangible thing,” Lanier said. “The numbers say we’re not supposed to win that game. But toughness was the difference for us. Not that they weren’t tough, but we were particularly tough today.”

Host Hawaii (7-3) and Washington State (5-6) meet at 7 p.m. Friday (11 p.m. Central) on ESPN2 to determine SMU’s opponent in Sunday’s 3:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m Central) championship.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.