Courtesy of The Daily News March 4, 1960 via Newspapers.com
Madison Square Garden delivered the full measure of late‑season drama last night, but when the smoke cleared it was Manhattan and NYU who walked off the floor with the victories—and, in St. Peter’s case, perhaps with something far more costly than a single defeat. Before a roaring crowd of 15,372, the Jaspers outlasted St. Peter’s, 97–91, in the opener, and NYU followed by subduing St. John’s, 74–67, in a long‑anticipated showdown of New York powers.
Manhattan Pushes St. Peter’s Out of NIT Picture
St. Peter’s entered the night knowing it was neck‑and‑neck with Temple for the final NIT berth. It left the Garden knowing it had likely squandered its chance. The Petreans shot themselves out of contention at the foul line, missing three straight one‑and‑one opportunities in the closing minutes and failing on two additional two‑shot chances in the final stretch.
Those lapses were magnified by the brilliance of Manhattan’s Bob Mealy, who poured in 37 points and repeatedly broke St. Peter’s momentum. The Jaspers, stung by three earlier losses to St. Peter’s in Jersey City, seized an early lead, weathered a 44–44 halftime tie, and controlled the second half with steadier hands and sharper execution.
St. Peter’s (15–5) made one last furious push after Billy Smith fouled out with 5:26 remaining and Manhattan ahead 87–77. An all‑court press produced steals and quick baskets by George Haines and George Saxenmeyer, and Marty Walsh’s jumper trimmed the deficit to 87–83. But each time the Petreans threatened, Manhattan answered—first with a Mealy layup, then with two free throws by Charlie Koenig.
Even after Haines and Saxenmeyer again cut the margin to 91–87, St. Peter’s simply could not capitalize. Joe Gulbin and Walsh both missed the front end of one‑and‑ones, extending the team’s late‑game futility at the stripe. Manhattan needed no further invitation and closed the door for good.
Smith, despite being held to five field goals by Koenig, was perfect at the line (12‑for‑12) and joined Mealy in surpassing the 1,000‑point career mark. But afterward Coach Don Kennedy could only shake his head: “If we had won, they would have had to put us in,” he said. Manhattan’s Ken Norton—who also chairs the NIT selection committee—added, “I can’t say they’re eliminated. But you can bet the committee will consider tonight’s game.” That consideration, it seems, will not favor St. Peter’s.
NYU Shows Its Class in Feature Game
If the opener was frantic, the nightcap was authoritative. NYU, now 18–3 and bound for the NCAA tournament, stamped itself as the city’s premier team by outplaying St. John’s in nearly every phase. The Violets’ 74–67 triumph rested on the shoulders of two standout performances: Tom Sanders’ 26 points and 15 rebounds, and Al Barden’s masterful defensive job on St. John’s star Tony Jackson.
Barden not only scored 20 points but held Jackson to two field goals in the first half, allowing NYU to build a 38–32 lead at the break. Jackson finished with 16, but the damage had been done. NYU controlled the boards, dictated the pace, and answered every St. John’s surge with poise befitting a tournament‑bound club.
St. John’s, now 17–7, will head to the NIT, but the game that had been circled on calendars all season belonged decisively to the Violets.
A Garden Night With Tournament Stakes
With March approaching and postseason invitations hanging in the balance, the Garden doubleheader carried more weight than most. Manhattan strengthened its footing, NYU confirmed its stature, and St. Peter’s may have watched its season slip away at the foul line.
Courtesy of The Newark Star-Ledger March 4, 1960 via Newspapers.com
Courtesy of The Daily News March 4, 1960 via Newspapers.com