March 10, 2007

ANAHEIM, CA - Cal State Fullerton sophomore Toni Thomas was one of six players named to the 2007 Big West Conference All-Tournament Team following Saturday's women's championship game, won by UC Riverside, at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Thomas, who was also named to the All-Big West First Team earlier in the week, became the first Titan to make an All-Tournament squad since Koko Lahanas and Autumn Hollyfield during the 1994-95 season.

The sophomore forward averaged 17.0 ppg and 6.3 rpg in three tournament games while helping Cal State Fullerton to the semifinals of the tournament for the first time in 12 years.

She ranked sixth among tournament scorers, ninth in field goal percentage (.436), and tied for third in free throw percentage (.933).

In the opener against Pacific on Wednesday, Thomas tallied her eighth double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds to help lift Fullerton to a 69-58 victory.

The next night, the sophomore added 17 points and three rebounds in 24 minutes against Cal State Northridge, helping the Titans to a 75-65 victory and a berth into the semifinals against UC Santa Barbara.

Friday afternoon against the Gauchos, Thomas finished with 14 points and six rebounds as Fullerton fell to UCSB for the third time this season by a combined 13 points.

UC Riverside placed two on the all-tournament team in Seyram Gbewonyo and Kemie Nkele, who won MVP honors for the second consecutive season. Runner-up UC Santa Barbara's Jenna Green and Chisa Ononiwu were also honored as was Long Beach State's Karina Figueroa.

The Titans finished 16-16 overall for the season and 7-7 in Big West Conference play while posting the most wins in a single season since the 1990-91 NCAA Tournament team finished 25-8.

2007 BIG WEST CONFERENCE ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Kemie Nkele, UC Riverside (MVP)
Karina Figueroa, Long Beach State
Seyram Gbewonyo, UC Riverside
Jenna Green, UC Santa Barbara
Chisa Ononiwu, UC Santa Barbara
Toni Thomas, Cal State Fullerton