Consolation Game
Utah State Defeats St. Bonaventure, 99–83, to Claim Third Place in NIT
Schofield Scores 32; Aggies Pull Away After Halftime
NEW YORK, March 19 — Utah State closed its National Invitation Tournament appearance on a strong note Saturday afternoon, defeating St. Bonaventure 99–83 in the consolation game before 16,421 at Madison Square Garden. The Aggies, who had struggled in Thursday’s semifinal loss to Providence, displayed the fast‑paced, high‑scoring form that carried them through the regular season and into the tournament’s final four.
St. Bonaventure, which had entered the semifinals on an 18‑game winning streak before falling to Bradley, could not match Utah State’s second‑half surge. The Bonnies stayed close through the early minutes and trailed only 48–43 at halftime, but the Aggies steadily widened the margin after intermission.
Schofield Leads Aggies With 32
Utah State’s attack was led by Jerry Schofield, who scored 32 points, the highest total of his career. Schofield, often overshadowed during the season by teammate Cornell Green, delivered one of the afternoon’s standout performances before leaving late with an ankle injury to a warm Garden ovation.
Green, after a quiet first half, added 26 points, while Tyler Wilbon scored 14 and Joe Worthen contributed 12. Guard Max Perry, whose ball‑handling had been central to Utah State’s tournament run, scored 13 and repeatedly broke St. Bonaventure’s pressure defense.
Bonnies Unable to Sustain Defensive Pressure
St. Bonaventure’s trademark full‑court pressure, which had fueled earlier tournament victories, proved less effective against Utah State’s quick guards. The Aggies handled traps cleanly and converted turnovers into fast‑break opportunities.
The Bonnies were led by Tom Stith, who scored 29, and Sam Stith, who added 19. But St. Bonaventure, which had relied heavily on its defensive intensity throughout the tournament, could not generate the same level of disruption against Utah State’s disciplined backcourt.
The Bonnies briefly closed the gap to 56–55 early in the second half, but Utah State responded with a steady run that pushed the lead into double digits. Despite foul trouble—Schofield, Green, and Wilbon all played extended minutes with four fouls—the Aggies maintained control.
Aggies Finish Tournament Strong
Utah State’s performance contrasted sharply with its semifinal loss to Providence, in which cold shooting and late turnovers proved costly. On Saturday, the Aggies shot confidently, moved the ball well, and controlled the tempo throughout the second half.
St. Bonaventure, which had impressed Garden crowds with its aggressive defense and the scoring of the Stith brothers, finished the tournament in fourth place.
Looking Ahead
The Aggies closed their season with a convincing win and a third‑place NIT finish, while Bradley captured the tournament championship later in the evening with an 88–72 victory over Providence.
Courtesy of The Deseret News March 21, 1960 via Newspapers.com
Championship Game
Bradley Rallies Past Providence, 88–72, to Capture NIT Championship
Braves Overcome 12‑Point Deficit; Herndon and Walker Lead Late Surge
NEW YORK, March 19 — Bradley University claimed its second National Invitation Tournament title in four years Saturday night, storming back from a 12‑point deficit in the final 10 minutes to defeat Providence 88–72 before 16,421 at Madison Square Garden. The Braves, top‑seeded entering the tournament, outscored the Friars 38–10 down the stretch to turn what had appeared to be a Providence victory into a decisive Bradley triumph.
The win capped a 27–2 season for the Braves, who had been beaten finalists a year ago. Providence, which had won 11 straight entering the championship game, finished at 24–5.
Friars Control Early Play
Providence, led by its dynamic backcourt of Lenny Wilkens and John Egan, controlled the first half with sharp drives and steady outside shooting. The Friars broke Bradley’s press repeatedly and built a 37–29 halftime lead. They extended the margin to 62–50 with 10 minutes remaining, appearing firmly in command.
Wilkens, later voted the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, scored 25 points before fouling out in the closing minutes. Egan added 20, and 6‑10 center Jim Hadnot anchored the Providence rebounding effort.
Bradley’s Rally Begins
Bradley’s comeback began quietly, with sophomore forward Mack Herndon keeping the Braves within reach. Herndon scored 22 points, 16 of them in the second half, and was the Braves’ most reliable scorer while teammate Chet Walker played limited minutes due to illness.
Walker, who had been sick since drinking a suspicious glass of orange juice earlier in the week, entered the game only sporadically. But with 5:21 remaining and Bradley trailing 66–62, he returned to the floor and immediately changed the game’s tempo. In the next two minutes he grabbed four rebounds and completed a three‑point play that ignited the Braves’ decisive run.
Braves Take Control
Two free throws by Egan briefly steadied Providence at 70–67, but the Friars faltered soon after. Bradley’s Al Saunders hit four straight free throws to give the Braves their first lead, 71–70, and the Friars never recovered. Bradley closed the game on a 21–2 burst, capitalizing on turnovers and missed Providence shots as the Friars’ offense unraveled.
Walker finished with nine points, seven of them in the final minutes, while captain Mike Owens added 13, all after halftime.
A Championship Earned Late
Bradley’s late surge showcased the depth and resilience that had carried the Braves through the season. Their press, ineffective early, tightened in the final minutes, and Providence—so poised for most of the night—could not withstand the pressure once Wilkens fouled out.
The victory gave Bradley its second NIT crown, the first coming in 1957. The tournament’s closing doubleheader pushed attendance to one of the highest totals in NIT history.
Courtesy of The Central New Jersey Home News March 20, 1960 via Newspapers.com
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Courtesy of The Daily News March 20, 1960 via Newspapers.com