Freshman Angel Rodriguez scored 16 points off the bench as Kansas State downed Texas-El Paso 78-70 in the semifinals of the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu on Friday.

Jamar Samuels overcame a 1-for-8 effort from the field to finish with 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Wildcats (9-1), who will play Long Beach State in the championship on Christmas Day. The 49ers routed Auburn 64-43 in Friday's other semifinal.

Kansas State appeared to be running away from the Miners (5-6) after opening up a 15-point bulge early in the second half, but UTEP rallied to take a 59-57 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining.

But the Wildcats responded with a 17-3 run over the next 7:22 to re-establish a double-digit advantage and put the game away.

Kansas State outrebounded UTEP 36-21 and received 42 points from its bench – the third straight game in which the Wildcats have collected at least 35 points from its reserves.

Jacques Streeter led five Miners in double figures with a season-high 15 points.