ASSOCIATED PRESS Texas-El Paso's Giovanni St. Amant, John Tofi and Jason Williams celebrated after the Miners won the WAC title.

Texas-El Paso’s Tofi
proud to represent
Polynesians

RENO, Nev. » There may be another Division I men's basketball player of Samoan ancestry out there somewhere. If there is, though, John Tofi hasn't come across him.

"I don't know of any guys, I have met a couple of women's players," said Tofi, the Texas-El Paso center who was a huge force in the Miners' 91-78 victory over Boise State in the WAC tournament final last night.

Tofi scored a season-high 21 points and collected six rebounds.

"The last two or three weeks we try to start the game going to John," UTEP coach Doc Sadler said. "We probably have more confidence in John than he has in himself."

That's because Tofi has had more than the usual ups and downs coming back from a broken foot he suffered during offseason training.

"It's been a struggle all year, but I feel great now," he said after the game.

Tofi was at his peak in the Miners' NCAA Tournament game against Maryland last year. UTEP lost 86-83, but he was impressive with 16 points and 10 rebounds. He said the Miners will be better prepared for the tournament after last year's experience.

"We know we have to start getting ready," he said. "I think all the guys who experienced last year know that staying focused is important."

Tofi is from San Francisco, but the 6-foot-8 junior has plenty of family in Hawaii.

"Lots of aunties, uncles, cousins," he said. "I'm happy to represent all Polynesians, especially Samoans."

Record book: UTEP set the tournament's championship game record with 91 points. ... Boise State's Jason Ellis established rebounding standards for one game (21) and the tournament (53 in four games). ... The Miners' Omar Thomas made 24 free throws to establish the record. ... Boise State became the lowest seed to make the championship game (eighth).

All-tourney team: UTEP guard Filiberto Rivera was voted MVP and was joined on the all-tournament team by teammate Thomas, Jermaine Blackburn and Ellis of Boise State and Michael Harris of Rice.

Rice dethrones LaTech: Lauren Neaves led six players in double-figures with 22 points as Rice (24-8) ended Louisiana Tech's three-year reign as WAC champions, 86-66.

"We said from the beginning that the only way we were going to get this done was as a team," said Rice forward Michelle Woods, who added 14 points.

Erica Taylor and Tasha Crain scored 14 apiece for the Lady Techsters (20-9).

LaTech had to go to double-overtime to beat Fresno State in Friday's semifinal.

"We played 50 minutes yesterday," Taylor said. "Fatigue got me. My mind said go but my body said no."