Courtesy of The Herald-Sun March 4, 1960 via Newspapers.com
Hot‑Shooting Wolfpack Stuns Maryland, 74–58, to Reach ACC Semifinals
State Shoots 51.7 Percent; Gallagher, Balance, and Defense Overwhelm Terps
RALEIGH, March 3 — N.C. State, long known for saving its best for tournament time, lived up to its reputation again Thursday night. The Wolfpack, written off by many after a sluggish first half of the season, roared back into the ACC spotlight with a decisive 74–58 upset of third‑seeded Maryland in the opening round at Reynolds Coliseum.
From the opening tap, the Wolfpack looked nothing like the uncertain club of December. They out‑shot, out‑rebounded, and out‑hustled the Terrapins, leading for all but four minutes and answering every Maryland challenge with poise and precision.
State Shoots Lights Out
The Pack’s shooting was nothing short of dazzling. State hit 59.2 percent in the second half and finished at 51.7 percent for the game, sinking 30 of 58 attempts. Maryland, by contrast, managed only 29 percent, including a frigid 8‑for‑31 first half.
State also dominated the boards, 49–33, and its man‑to‑man defense forced Maryland into hurried long‑range attempts.
Balanced Scoring Tells the Story
Six Wolfpack players scored in double figures, a testament to the team’s balance and unselfish play. Bruce Hoadley and Bob DiStefano led with 13 apiece, Don Gallagher added 12, Dan Englehardt 11, and Anton Muehlbauer and Russ Marvel each chipped in 10.
Gallagher, the 6‑4 senior whose career has been hampered by injuries, turned in one of his finest performances. He led all rebounders with 14, controlled the defensive glass, and provided the steadying influence State needed when Maryland made its brief second‑half surge.
Marvel, a sophomore reserve, was a revelation. He grabbed seven rebounds and hit key shots that kept the Pack in command.
Maryland’s Rally Fizzles
The Terrapins, trailing 36–33 at halftime, twice edged ahead early in the second half. But with 11:28 remaining, State began to pull away. By the 8:11 mark the lead was back to 10, and with 5:07 left it had ballooned to 64–48 — the point at which the contest ceased to be in doubt.
Maryland’s Paul Jelus and Bruce Kelleher shared scoring honors with 16 each, while Al Bunge added 10 points and 12 rebounds. But the Terps never found their rhythm against State’s tight defense.
Case’s Strategy Pays Off
Coach Everett Case, the architect of so many Wolfpack tournament runs, again proved the master strategist. After his starters built an early 10‑point lead, Case substituted freely, keeping his players fresh and maintaining a relentless pace that Maryland could not match.
The victory was State’s second over Maryland in three meetings this season and sends the Wolfpack into tonight’s 9:30 semifinal against Wake Forest.
Maryland, eliminated in the first round for the fourth time since the tournament began in 1954, will have to wait another year for a return to the finals.
Courtesy of The Herald-Sun March 4, 1960 via Newspapers.com