Utah State Edges Villanova in Overtime, 73–72, to Reach NIT Semifinals
Aggies’ Speed and Poise Prevail; White Scores 27 in Losing Effort
NEW YORK, March 12 — Utah State’s quick, undersized but relentless “Iron Men” outlasted Villanova in one of the most dramatic games of the National Invitation Tournament, scoring a 73–72 overtime victory Saturday afternoon before 14,337 at Madison Square Garden. The win sends the Aggies into Thursday’s semifinals and ends Villanova’s hopes after a determined late rally forced the extra period.
Villanova sophomore Hubie White, who led all scorers with 27 points, tied the game at 67–67 with a short jumper in the final half‑minute of regulation. But Utah State, which had controlled the tempo for long stretches, made the decisive plays in the five‑minute overtime.
Worthen’s Late Basket Proves the Difference
The key moment came with 1:11 remaining in overtime, when reserve Joe Worthen, the only substitute used by Utah State coach Cec Baker, slipped free under the basket for a dunk that put the Aggies ahead to stay. Worthen had entered only moments earlier after high‑scoring Cornell Green fouled out with 26 points.
Worthen had missed a layup a minute earlier that might have sealed the game, but his second chance proved decisive.
Villanova briefly took a 70–69 lead on a layup by captain George Raveling with 1:36 left, but the Wildcats could not hold it. After Worthen’s basket, Utah State added two free throws by Max Perry in the closing seconds, and White’s final jumper with six seconds left left Villanova still one point short.
Aggies Control Early Play
Utah State’s speed and hustle gave it the edge for much of the afternoon. The Aggies repeatedly beat Villanova to loose balls and built a 58–50 lead before the Wildcats switched to a man‑to‑man defense that sparked a late comeback.
Green, the Aggies’ standout forward, was the driving force of the offense until fouling out in overtime. Perry, known for his baseline drives, set up several key baskets, including Green’s opening score in the extra period.
Villanova’s Rally Falls Short
Villanova (20–6) struggled early with its inside game, as Utah State’s smaller lineup consistently disrupted the Wildcats’ deliberate offense. Coach Al Severance alternated between a zone and a slower-paced attack to blunt the Aggies’ fast break, but Villanova’s big men were outplayed in the first half.
The Wildcats mounted their strongest push late in regulation. Raveling, Richie Kaminski, Tom Samuelwicz, and White all contributed during the surge that erased an eight‑point deficit. But foul trouble proved costly: both John Driscoll and playmaker Jimmy Huggard fouled out before overtime, leaving White to shoulder much of the offensive load.
A Game of Narrow Margins
The contest featured constant swings in momentum. Villanova led only once after the early minutes—until Raveling’s brief go‑ahead basket in overtime—while Utah State relied on quickness, opportunistic scoring, and a disciplined half‑court attack.
The Aggies’ ability to convert key chances, particularly after Green’s departure, ultimately made the difference.
Looking Ahead
Utah State advances to the NIT semifinals, continuing a surprising run that has made the Aggies a Garden favorite. Villanova exits after two hard‑fought games, including its overtime win over Detroit in the opening round.
Courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer March 13, 1960 via Newspapers.com
Providence Halts St. Louis, 61–53, to Reach NIT Semifinals
Hadnot Controls Boards; Egan Guides Friars to Late Victory
NEW YORK, March 12 — Providence advanced to the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament Saturday night with a 61–53 victory over St. Louis, using a combination of steady guard play and dominant rebounding to turn back the third‑ranked Billikens before 17,078 at Madison Square Garden.
The Friars, though unseeded, entered the contest as slight favorites. They justified that confidence with a disciplined offense and a defense that held St. Louis to its lowest point total of the season.
Hadnot’s All‑Around Performance Sets the Tone
The key figure of the night was Providence’s James Hadnot, the 6‑foot‑10 sophomore who delivered his finest Garden performance. Hadnot scored 17 points, controlled 19 rebounds, and repeatedly blocked or altered shots in the lane. His matchup with St. Louis center Bob Nordmann, also 6‑10, tilted decisively in Providence’s favor.
Hadnot’s presence anchored a Friar defense that forced St. Louis into hurried attempts and long stretches without scoring rhythm.
Moynahan Steps In; Egan Directs the Attack
With regular guard Johnny Woods sidelined by a sprained ankle, Providence turned to Tim Moynahan, who responded with five long jump shots, hitting 5‑of‑7 and helping the Friars build a workable lead late in the first half.
But the steadying force was John Egan, who directed the offense, controlled the tempo, and led all Providence scorers with 19 points. In the final five minutes, with the Friars protecting a 55–49 margin, Egan’s ball‑handling and dribbling allowed Providence to freeze the game and keep St. Louis from mounting a final charge.
Billikens Struggle From the Field
St. Louis, which had relied on balanced scoring throughout the season, could not find its touch. The Billikens made only 18 of 56 attempts, while Providence hit 22 of 49.
The Friars’ defense forced St. Louis into contested shots, and the Billikens were unable to generate consistent inside scoring against Hadnot’s reach. The result was a grinding offensive night for a team that had averaged far more throughout the season.
Providence Controls the Game’s Pace
The Friars built their advantage gradually, using patient half‑court sets and strong rebounding to limit St. Louis’s opportunities. When Providence shifted into a late stall, the Billikens were unable to disrupt the freeze or force turnovers.
The victory sends Providence into the NIT semifinals, where the Friars will face a higher‑seeded opponent with momentum and renewed confidence.
Courtesy of The Daily News March 13, 1960 via Newspapers.com
St. Bonaventure Overwhelms St. John’s, 106–71, to Reach NIT Semifinals
Sam Stith Scores 37; Bonnies’ Pressure Defense Breaks Game Open Early
NEW YORK, March 15 — St. Bonaventure stormed into the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament Tuesday night with a commanding 106–71 victory over St. John’s before 16,345 at Madison Square Garden. The Bonnies, riding an 18‑game winning streak, advanced to meet Bradley in Thursday’s opening semifinal.
The contest, expected to be a close matchup between two of the tournament’s most disciplined teams, turned sharply in St. Bonaventure’s favor midway through the first half. The Bonnies’ aggressive pressure defense forced a series of turnovers that produced rapid scoring bursts of eight, six, and nine points, transforming a narrow 14–13 deficit into a 53–33 halftime lead.
From that point forward, St. John’s was unable to regain its footing.
Stith Brothers Lead the Way
The Bonnies’ attack was anchored by the Stith brothers, who combined for 63 points.
- Sam Stith led all scorers with 37, hitting 17 of 22 from the field, including 11 of 14 in the first half against the Redmen’s 1‑3‑1 zone.
- Tom Stith, the All‑America forward, added 26, bringing his season total to 756 and his two‑year career mark to 1,159.
Whitey Martin contributed 18 points while also holding St. John’s All‑America Tony Jackson to 18. Sophomore guard Orrie Jirele added only eight points but was instrumental in the defensive pressure, recording numerous steals and deflections that fueled the Bonnies’ transition game.
St. John’s Struggles Against Pressure
St. John’s, which finished its season at 17–8, managed to stay even through the early minutes and briefly led 14–13. But once St. Bonaventure intensified its three‑man pressure on the ball, the Redmen faltered. The Bonnies recorded nine steals and four interceptions in the first half alone, converting many of them directly into points.
The Redmen’s offense never regained rhythm. Besides Jackson’s 18, only Leroy Ellis reached double figures with 17. St. John’s shot 23‑for‑61 (37.7%), while St. Bonaventure connected on 42‑for‑73 (57.5%).
Coach Joe Lapchick, whose team had lost to the Bonnies earlier in the season at the Holiday Festival, offered little explanation afterward, saying only, “What can you say after a team plays like that?”
Bonnies Maintain Control After Halftime
Any hopes of a St. John’s comeback ended quickly after intermission. Tom Stith opened the half with a pivot shot, and the Bonnies continued to score through give‑and‑go action once the Redmen abandoned their zone. The lead grew to 92–54, prompting St. Bonaventure coach Eddie Donovan to clear his bench.
Sophomore Bob McCully scored the century‑mark basket, and the Bonnies continued to push the pace until the final horn.
Despite the lopsided score, the rebounding battle remained close. Holy Cross held a slight 47–46 edge, led by Ralph Brandt’s 13, while Jirele led the Bonnies with 12.
Looking Ahead
St. Bonaventure, now 21–3, moves into the semifinals as one of the tournament’s hottest teams. Bradley, which defeated Dayton 78–64 earlier in the evening, awaits in what promises to be a fast‑paced matchup.
Courtesy of The Buffalo Courier Express March 16, 1960 via Newspapers.com
Bradley Pulls Away Late to Defeat Dayton, 78–64, in NIT Quarterfinals
Walker Scores 22; Braves’ Press Turns Tight Game Into Decisive Win
NEW YORK, March 15 — Bradley, the tournament’s No. 1 seed and one of the nation’s most seasoned postseason teams, advanced to the National Invitation Tournament semifinals Tuesday night with a 78–64 victory over Dayton before 16,845 at Madison Square Garden. The Braves broke open a close contest in the final minutes, using their trademark pressing defense and balanced scoring to pull away from a Dayton squad that had led at halftime.
The Flyers, who held a 33–31 advantage at intermission, stayed even through the early stages of the second half. But once Bradley shifted into its full‑court pressure with 17:15 remaining, the momentum swung sharply. The Braves erased Dayton’s lead, traded baskets briefly, and then surged ahead with a six‑point run that made it 58–50. Dayton never recovered.
Walker Returns Strong After Early Foul Trouble
Bradley’s standout sophomore Chet Walker, averaging 22 points per game, picked up his second foul early and sat out the remainder of the first half, scoring only six points before the break. But he returned at the start of the second half and finished with 22, matching his season average and providing the steady scoring Bradley needed to withstand Dayton’s early rebounding edge.
Walker was joined by a balanced Braves attack:
- Dan Smith — 21 points
- Mack Herndon — 14 points
- Al Saunders — 12 points
Their combined production offset Dayton’s efforts to slow the game with a 2‑3 zone.
Dayton Falters After Strong First Half
Dayton (21–7) controlled the boards early, outrebounding Bradley 32–18 in the first half, thanks largely to Gary Roggenburk, who collected 12 rebounds before intermission. But the Flyers’ rebounding advantage proved misleading as Bradley’s pressure forced turnovers and disrupted Dayton’s offensive rhythm in the closing minutes.
Dayton’s scoring was led by:
- Garry Roggenburk — 21 points
- Frank Case — 16 points
- Stan Greenberg — 11 points
Case, playing his final collegiate game before family members from the Bronx, delivered a determined performance, but the Flyers struggled to maintain composure once Bradley’s press tightened.
Bradley’s Defense Turns the Game
Coach Chuck Orsborn’s Braves, now 25–2, entered the tournament as the field’s top seed and demonstrated why. Their second‑half press forced Dayton into hurried passes and off‑balance shots, turning a two‑point halftime deficit into a comfortable margin.
Dayton coach Tom Blackburn stayed with his zone defense until late in the game, when he was forced to press in return. But by then Bradley had seized control, and the Flyers’ attempts to rally were undermined by turnovers and missed opportunities.
A Familiar Ending for Dayton
The loss marked Dayton’s eighth elimination in NIT play and its third quarterfinal exit. The Flyers have reached the championship game five times but were unable to advance this year despite Saturday’s opening‑round win over Temple.
Bradley, a 1957 NIT champion and 1959 runner‑up, moves on with its sights set on another deep run.
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Courtesy of The Dayton Daily News March 16, 1960 via Newspapers.com