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 on 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.

On the quest for glory, the Golden Knights also vanquished UAF 74-63, and Utah State 55-52.

Two of UFC's top players were named to the tournament's prestigious All-Tournament Team.  Johnson, and his teammate Anthony Williams joined the best players from each of the eight participating teams.

The team also included Brad Oleson of host Alaska Fairbanks, Mike Mitchell and Byron Davis New Mexico State, Spencer Nelson and Jaycee Carroll of Utah State, Levi Rost of Western Michigan, Elton Nesbitt of Georgia Southern, Vedran Vukusic of Northwestern, and Pooh Jeter of Portland.

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