There was no better time for Stanley Johnson to introduce himself to the nation than under the bright lights of the Maui Invitational. He did not disappoint.

Johnson, a freshman, scored 18 points while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 14 points as the Arizona Wildcats outlasted the San Diego State Aztecs 61-59 to win the 2014 Maui Invitational.

Johnson and Hollis-Jefferson were both instrumental in giving Arizona its second Maui Title and third preseason championship in as many seasons. Johnson made play after play to keep his team on pace with the Aztecs, while Hollis-Jefferson’s six rebounds and three blocked shots helped stem off SDSU for the third time in as many meetings.

A tight game throughout, San Diego State raced out to an early lead but watched the Wildcats claw their way back into it. Arizona would take a 32-31 edge into the lockerroom after playing without starters T.J. McConnell, Gabe York, and Kaleb Tarczewski who all sat out much of the first 20 minutes due to foul trouble.

The absence of three regulars allowed Johnson to stake his claim as the man of the hour. With a series of driving lay-ups, slashes to the basket, and defensive plays, Johnson kept his team afloat. Hollis-Jefferson continued to embrace his role of sixth-man with his energetic play and timely scoring. McConnell returned in the second half to spark his team with 11 points and heady point guard play.

"We have a lot of guys who don't like losing here, and I'm the same way," said Johnson of his bright-lights performance.

Arizona coach Sean Miller, who has been somewhat critical of his team’s early performances, seemed pleased with the results from Maui.

"We leave here feeling very good about what we accomplished," Miller said. "We have a long way to go, but I feel like our team took the next step, grew up, improved, and that's what happens when you challenge yourself against this type of competition."

San Diego State is left to lick its wounds acquired at the hands of the Wildcats, again. The Aztecs have lost 6 games over the past two seasons - three of them to Arizona.

"They hit us in the chops, and we didn't respond when we needed to," Aztecs coach Steve Fisher said.

The Aztecs were led by 14 points each from Winston Shepard and Trey Kell, whose 4-point play kept his team within two points as time wound down. However, a late Johnson steal and costless throws from the Wildcats kept SDSU at bay. SDSU missed 11 costless throws compared to only four for their opponents.

Arizona returns to the mainland to face Gardner-Webb on Tuesday before welcoming Gonzaga to the McKale Center on December 6. The Aztecs will play in-city rival San Diego on December 4.