Honolulu, HI (SportsNetwork.com) - George Washington used tough defense to top Colorado, 53-50, and advance to the Diamond Head Classic championship game on Thursday.

Askia Booker's 3-pointer in the closing seconds would have tied the game for the Buffaloes (7-4), but it was blocked by Kevin Larsen to end the game.

The Colonials (8-3) will play No. 11 Wichita State in the championship.

George Washington was led by Joe McDonald with 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting. John Kopriva and Yuta Watanabe joined him in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Josh Scott and Wesley Gordon each had 10 points for Colorado. Booker, the Buffaloes' leading scorer, was limited to eight points and missed most of the first half in foul trouble.

Each team shot below 40 percent and combined for just 10 assists and two makes in 20 attempts from long distance.

The Colonials led by as much as nine in the first 20 minutes, but a five- minute field goal drought late in the half allowed Colorado to get back into the game. McDonald hit a pair of free throws with two seconds left to extend GW's lead to 30-26 at the half.