Post by bagger on Feb 21, 2013 12:32:47 GMT -5
a prior chapter
Gazette 2-23-1953
Siena, Niagara Go Six Overtimes In Probable Record-Length Game
It’ll be a long time before the 5,000 fans on hand at the game or others will see or hear about a college basketball game that went six extra periods before a winner was determined. That’s what happened Saturday night when Niagara edged Siena College, 88-81, at the Albany Armory.
THE TWO COLLEGE quints battled to a 54-54 deadlock in regulation play and then went through six overtime periods—believed to be a record—using up 30 minutes of play. It was Sunday morning before Larry Costello hooped in two jump shots in the sixth overtime to lead Niagara to its marathon victory.
The manner in which the game went into its first overtime was hectic enough. Siena had to battle at the scoring table for 10 minutes before getting a chance to play any extra periods.
With the crowd in an uproar the Purple Eagles were playing for the last shot in the regulation game. Jerry Kennedy found the mark for a deucer to put Niagara out front, 56-54, but Siena Coach Dan Cunha and the Indian players protested that time had run out. Officials agreed with them and the basket was disallowed and the count was tied at 54-54.
The first extra period saw Siena go into a 59-58 lead and it looked like an Indian victory. However, a three-point Niagara play topped Siena, 61-59 but Billy Kirsch dropped in a pair of charity shots to force the second overtime.
THAT SECOND extra period ended in a 63-63 tie, a third ended in a 70-70 deadlock; then the fourth came up and a 72-all deadlock was effected—that was when the scoreboard timer broke down and reserves on each team were allowed to shout the time remaining to players just to make the situation a little more hectic.
The fifth extra period wound up 76-76 deadlock to set the stage for the sixth and last overtime.
Where the teams had played cautiously in previous overtimes, they went all out to score in the sixth. Niagara took charge in the final period after Costello hit for two jump shots to put the Eagles out front early in the sixth overtime.
Victory was Niagara's 18th in 23 games while Siena lost its10th in 19 starts.
Gazette 2-23-1953
Siena, Niagara Go Six Overtimes In Probable Record-Length Game
It’ll be a long time before the 5,000 fans on hand at the game or others will see or hear about a college basketball game that went six extra periods before a winner was determined. That’s what happened Saturday night when Niagara edged Siena College, 88-81, at the Albany Armory.
THE TWO COLLEGE quints battled to a 54-54 deadlock in regulation play and then went through six overtime periods—believed to be a record—using up 30 minutes of play. It was Sunday morning before Larry Costello hooped in two jump shots in the sixth overtime to lead Niagara to its marathon victory.
The manner in which the game went into its first overtime was hectic enough. Siena had to battle at the scoring table for 10 minutes before getting a chance to play any extra periods.
With the crowd in an uproar the Purple Eagles were playing for the last shot in the regulation game. Jerry Kennedy found the mark for a deucer to put Niagara out front, 56-54, but Siena Coach Dan Cunha and the Indian players protested that time had run out. Officials agreed with them and the basket was disallowed and the count was tied at 54-54.
The first extra period saw Siena go into a 59-58 lead and it looked like an Indian victory. However, a three-point Niagara play topped Siena, 61-59 but Billy Kirsch dropped in a pair of charity shots to force the second overtime.
THAT SECOND extra period ended in a 63-63 tie, a third ended in a 70-70 deadlock; then the fourth came up and a 72-all deadlock was effected—that was when the scoreboard timer broke down and reserves on each team were allowed to shout the time remaining to players just to make the situation a little more hectic.
The fifth extra period wound up 76-76 deadlock to set the stage for the sixth and last overtime.
Where the teams had played cautiously in previous overtimes, they went all out to score in the sixth. Niagara took charge in the final period after Costello hit for two jump shots to put the Eagles out front early in the sixth overtime.
Victory was Niagara's 18th in 23 games while Siena lost its10th in 19 starts.