Central Florida defeats New Mexico State for title

Submitted by Dave Geringer
Phone: (907) 474-6807
11/22/04

The team that traveled the farthest was the most successful at the 2004 BP Top of the World Classic.

Central Florida took a 23-19 halftime lead and went to defeat New Mexico State, 62-58, for the championship at the Carlson Center Sunday evening.

UCF built a 36-28 lead four minutes into the second half, but the Aggies came back and outscored the Golden Knights, 12-2 during the next six minutes to take a 40-38 lead. UCF then used a 10-5 run to retake the lead. Joshua Peppers hit consecutive layups to put the Golden Knights ahead for good, 48-45. UCF built their lead to eight points, 60-52, with 34 seconds left before the Aggies closed the gap on a three-point play by Byron Davis and a three-pointer by Antwan Alexander.

Johnson, the Most Outstanding Player in the tournament, led all scorers in the championship game with 15 points. Peppers added 12 for the Golden Knights. Robert Frazier led NMSU with 12 points, and Mitchell contributed 10.

UCF finished the tournament with a 3-0 regular season record, while NMSU’s loss dropped them to 2-1.