Courtesy of The News and Observer March 4, 1960 via Newspapers.com
Wake Forest Uses Free Throws, Technical Foul to Cage Clemson, 74–59
Chappell Scores 24; Deacons Pull Away After Wild Six‑Point Swing
RALEIGH, March 3 — Wake Forest rode a remarkable six‑point sequence — aided by a costly Clemson technical foul — to break open a tight contest and march into the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference basketball tournament with a 74–59 victory Thursday night at Reynolds Coliseum.
For more than three‑quarters of the game, the Tigers stayed stride‑for‑stride with the second‑seeded Deacons. But with 7:42 remaining, the contest turned sharply when Clemson coach Press Maravich, protesting a foul call, tossed his towel onto the court and drew a technical that proved disastrous.
Six Points Without Clemson Touching the Ball
Moments earlier, Wake’s Dave Budd had completed a three‑point play. Maravich’s technical added a free throw by Billy Packer, and Wake retained possession. Len Chappell promptly scored on a turn‑around, giving the Deacons six straight points without Clemson touching the ball and stretching the margin to 64–50.
Wake Forest then poured in the next six points as well — a 12‑point avalanche that pushed the lead to 70–50 and effectively ended Clemson’s upset bid.
The Deacons now advance to the 9:30 p.m. semifinal tonight against N.C. State’s defending champions.
Clemson Fights, But Fouls Take Their Toll
Clemson, which had trailed by only a point at 48–47 with 12:05 left, saw its hopes unravel as foul trouble mounted. Three Tiger regulars — Walt Gibbons, Tom Mahaffey, and Ed Krajack — fouled out in the final 15 minutes, leaving the Tigers undermanned against Wake’s size and depth.
Despite matching Wake Forest from the field — both teams hit 23 of 70 for 32.9 percent — Clemson was undone at the foul line. Wake converted 28 of 35, while the Tigers managed only 13 of 23.
Chappell Dominates Inside
Chappell, Wake’s 6‑8 sophomore center, was the dominant figure of the night. He scored 24 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and repeatedly punished Clemson inside. Budd added 12 points and 12 rebounds, helping Wake to a commanding 54–39 edge on the boards.
Clemson captain George Krajack led the Tigers with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Choppy Patterson and Ed Krajack kept the Tigers close in the first half with timely shooting.
Deacons Control First Half, Survive Mid‑Game Lull
Wake Forest led 36–32 at halftime after building a 10‑point margin midway through the period. But the Deacons went more than five minutes without a field goal early in the second half, allowing Clemson to close within one.
Two baskets and two free throws by Twig Wiggins, followed by a Packer jumper and two more foul shots, restored a 10‑point Wake lead at 58–48 with 8:42 remaining.
Clemson still trailed only 58–50 when the pivotal sequence unfolded — Budd’s basket, Ed Krajack’s fifth foul, Maravich’s technical, and Chappell’s quick strike from the inbounds play.
From that moment, the Tigers never recovered.
A Final Snowbird
George Krajack briefly halted Wake’s 12‑point run with a steal and an easy “snowbird” layup, but by then the outcome was sealed.
Wake Forest now turns its attention to N.C. State, with a berth in Saturday night’s championship game at stake.
Courtesy of The News and Observer March 4, 1960 via Newspapers.com