James Woodard scores 16 and Tulsa holds off Auburn 53-35 to reach Main Event final

Tulsa guard Shaquille Harrison (3) fouls Auburn guard Malcolm Canada, left, as Auburn foreword Jordon Granger, right, tries to block during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, in Las Vegas. Tulsa won 53-35. (AP Photo/John Locher) (The Associated Press)

Tulsa guard Rashad Smith embraces teammate Rashad Ray (5) after they defeated Auburn in an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, in Las Vegas. Tulsa won 53-35. (AP Photo/John Locher) (The Associated Press)

LAS VEGAS – James Woodard scored 16 points to lead Tulsa over Auburn 53-35 on Monday.

Tulsa (3-1) advances to the MGM Main Event final to play Oklahoma State, a 66-53 winner over Oregon State, Wednesday night.

The Golden Hurricane shot 48 percent from the floor and was 9 of 17 on 3-pointers. Conversely, Auburn (2-2) made just 31 percent of its shots and missed 20 of 22 three-pointers.

Auburn forward Cinmeon Bowers had 17 points and 15 rebounds, his fourth double-double in a row.

Tulsa had little trouble handling Auburn's defense in the opening half, making 7 of its first 10 shots and 5 of 6 from three-point distance to take a 28-21 lead. The Golden Hurricane could have widened its lead even more but missed five of its final six shots before the buzzer.

Rashad Ray had 13 points and Rashad Smith added 12 points and eight rebounds for Tulsa.