|
|
| Nevada wins first WAC title |
|
| Louisiana Tech wins third WAC title |
Related Material
|
| Tournament Bracket.pdf |
The top-seeded and sixth ranked Louisiana Tech started off WAC Championship Saturday bringing home their third WAC title in as many seasons, defeating the Rice Lady Owls, 76-52, at the 2004 McCaffrey WAC Basketball Tournament in Fresno, Calif. On the men's side, top-seeded Nevada defeated No. 2 UTEP, 66-60, giving the Wolf Pack their first conference championship since 1984 (Big Sky). The wins for the two teams gives them the WAC's automatic bid to the 2004 NCAA Tournament.
For the women....
After a first-half 29-23 lead, Louisiana Tech pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Owls, 47-29. The Techsters were led by both Erica Smith-Taylor who registered 22 points, and the tournament's MVP, Amisha Carter, who tallied 18 points and 16 rebounds en route to the title.
At the conclusion of the game, the all-tournament team was announced. Tulsa's Jillian Roberts and Rice's Lauren Neaves were named to the team along with three Lady Techsters. For Louisiana Tech, Erica Smith-Taylor, Trina Frierson and Amisha Carter were selected. Carter earned the MVP honor averaging both 12.3 rebounds and 20 points per contest.
For the men...
After facing a two point deficit in the first half, Nevada pulled away late in the second, bring home Nevada's first WAC Championship. The Wolf Pack and Miners were crowned co-champions in the regular season after they split earlier in the year. Nevada shot 31.3% (11-28) in the second half, and was aided by 14 rebounds from the tournament MVP Kirk Snyder, giving them the late push and 2004 WAC title.
After the game, the all-tournament team was announced. For UTEP, Jason Williams, Filiberto Rivera and Omar Thomas were all honored. Nevada's Todd Okeson and Kirk Snyder were both tabbed all-tournament. Snyder was named the tournament's MVP to the crowd's chant of "one more year".
For a box score on each of the games at the McCaffrey WAC Tournament, click on the links below.
- Click here for more information and a link to Gametrackers throughout the tournament.
- Click on the .pdf bracket to the right for a complete, printable listing off all the tournament's games.
- For tournament pictures, click here
2004 McCaffrey WAC Basketball Tournament Schedule
Tuesday, March 9
Women's First Round
Game 1-#9 Boise State def. #8 Hawaii, 59-56
Game 2-#7 San Jose State def. #10 Nevada, 68-60
Men's First Round
Game 1-#8 SMU def. #9 Tulsa, 79-60
Game 2-#7 Louisiana Tech def. #10 San Jose State, 57-51
Wednesday, March 10
Women's Quarterfinals
Game 3-#1 Louisiana Tech def. #9 Boise State, 100-56
Game 4-#4 UTEP def. #5 SMU, 80-73 (OT)
Game 5-#2 Rice def. #7 San Jose State, 67-54
Game 6-#3 Tulsa def. #6 Fresno State, 79-55
Thursday, March 11
Men's Quarterfinals
Game 3-#1 Nevada def. #8 SMU, 75-60
Game 4-#4 Rice def. #5 Hawaii, 70-68
Game 5-#2 UTEP def. #7 Louisiana Tech, 62-55
Game 6-#3 Boise State def. #6 Fresno State, 71-54
Friday, March 12
Women's Semifinals
Game 7-#1 Louisiana Tech def. #4 UTEP, 74-47
Game 8-#2 Rice def. #3 Tulsa, 55-42
Men's Semifinals
Game 7-#1 Nevada def. #4 Rice, 67-59
Game 8-#2 UTEP vs. #3 Boise State, 83-75
Saturday, March 13
Women's Championship
Game 9-#1 Louisiana Tech def. #2 Rice, 76-52
All-Tournament Team
Amisha Carter, Sr., Louisiana Tech (MVP)
Trina Frierson, Sr., Louisiana Tech
Erica Smith-Taylor, Jr., Louisiana Tech
Lauren Neaves, Fr., Rice
Jillian Robbins, Fr., Tulsa
Men's Championship
Game 9-#1 Nevada def. #2 UTEP, 66-60
All-Tournament Team
Kirk Snyder, Jr., Nevada (MVP)
Todd Okeson, Sr., Nevada
Jason Williams, So., UTEP
Omar Thomas, Jr., UTEP
Filiberto Rivera, Jr., UTEP