Johnson scores 18 points, No. 3 outlasts No. 15 San Diego State 61-59 for second Maui title

Arizona forward Brandon Ashley (21) post up against San Diego State forward J.J. O'Brien, left, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Maui Invitational on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) (The Associated Press)

Arizona head coach Sean Miller expresses his disappointment on a foul called against one of his players to a game official in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Maui Invitational on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) (The Associated Press)

Stanley Johnson had 18 points and nine rebounds, helping No. 3 Arizona gut out a 61-59 victory over No. 15 San Diego State for its second Maui Invitational Wednesday night.

Arizona (6-0) survived a stiff semifinal challenge against Kansas State and faced a bigger one against the athletic Aztecs (5-1).

The Wildcats traded blows in this heavyweight bout in paradise, coming up with the big plays down the stretch to win their 33rd straight regular-season non-conference game.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson gave Arizona his usual exuberant boost and scored 14 points, while the Wildcats closed in around San Diego State defensively in the second half to add to the Maui title they won in 2000.

Trey Kell had a four-point play with 17 seconds to go and Winston Shepard hit a 3 with less than a second left, but it wasn't enough for the Aztecs.