Courtesy of The News and Observer March 5, 1960 via Newspapers.com
Wake Forest 71, N.C. State 66
Wake Forest earned its place opposite Duke in the ACC championship game by outlasting defending champion N.C. State, 71–66, in a rugged, emotionally charged semifinal at Reynolds Coliseum Friday night. The Deacons, regular‑season co‑champions with Carolina, survived a furious Wolfpack rally and a brief late‑game scuffle to secure their berth in the title contest.
Wake Forest Holds Its Nerve at the Line
The Deacons won this one where it mattered most—at the foul line. Wake Forest sank 37 points in free throws, including 10 straight in the final 3:28, to fend off State’s last push. With the Wolfpack forced to foul in the closing minutes, Wake’s calm accuracy at the stripe proved decisive.
The game’s final seconds turned heated when shoving under the basket erupted into a short‑lived skirmish involving several players. Officials Red Mihalik and Lou Eisenstein quickly restored order, assessing fouls on Dave Budd of Wake and Dutch Muehlbauer of State and sending both to the bench.
Moments earlier, State’s Russ Marvel had taken an elbow to the face and had to be restrained from retaliating, adding to the tension of a game that had grown increasingly physical.
Wolfpack Rally Falls Short
State, trying to salvage Coach Everett Case’s most difficult season with a deep tournament run, trailed by 10 early in the second half but stormed back with an eight‑point burst in just 80 seconds. That surge cut Wake’s lead to two points with 8:31 remaining, sending the Deacon supporters among the 12,500 spectators into anxious silence.
Wake coach Bones McKinney responded by slowing the pace, shifting into a semi‑control offense that blunted State’s momentum. A long jumper by George Ritchie and a free throw by Jerry Steele rebuilt the margin to 59–54 with 3:56 left, and from there Wake’s free‑throw marksmanship carried the night.
Chappell Dominates Early
For much of the evening, the Deacons leaned on their powerful 240‑pound center, Len Chappell, who poured in 19 first‑half points to stake Wake to a 38–30 halftime lead. Though he added only four after intermission, his presence forced State to collapse defensively, opening lanes for Wake’s guards.
Senior Twig Wiggins delivered one of his finest performances, scoring 15 points and grabbing eight rebounds, while Budd contributed steady work inside before his late ejection.
State Strong on the Boards
Despite the loss, the Wolfpack again surprised with its rebounding strength, holding a 48–35 edge on the glass. Muehlbauer led State with 12 points, while he and Marvel each collected nine rebounds. But the Pack’s inability to convert its second‑chance opportunities—and its mounting foul trouble—kept it from overtaking the Deacons.
Wake Forest, meanwhile, struggled from the field, especially in the backcourt. Billy Packer hit just one of nine shots, and Ritchie only two of eight. But the Deacons compensated by reaching the one‑and‑one early and exploiting it relentlessly.
A Championship Date With Duke
Wake Forest’s largest lead came early in the second half at 45–32, but State’s resilience ensured a tense finish. Only in the final minutes, as the Deacons calmly dropped in free throw after free throw, did the outcome become certain.
The victory sends Wake Forest into Saturday night’s championship game against Duke, which stunned North Carolina in the evening’s first semifinal. The Deacons will be seeking their first tournament crown since the ACC’s inception.
Courtesy of The News and Observer March 5, 1960 via Newspapers.com