Dec. 30, 1964 - Bill Bradley (left) of Princeton won the individual honors but a jump shot by Cazzie Russell (right) won the game for Michigan at Madison Square Garden tonight, as the 13th Eastern College Athletic Conference Holiday Festival experienced the wildest evening in its history with a capacity crowd of 18,499 screaming itself hoarse.
Bradley, after scoring 41 points and playing a commanding role in every other phase of the game, got a minute‐long standing ovation when he fouled out. There were 4 minutes 37 seconds to play, and Princeton led, 76-63. With 3:33 to go, the Tiger lead stood at 77—63.
Then Michigan, ranked as the No. 1 team in the nation and a prohibitive favorite in this game, finally exploded with a 16‐1 closing hurst. In just 65 seconds, it wiped out a 78‐68 deficit and with 36 seconds to go regained possession with the score tied. It waited for the last shot and gave it to Russell.
He took it from the left side, about 15 feet out, and made it with just three seconds remaining. It gave Michigan an 80‐78 victory and a place in Saturday night’s final against St. John’s.
Michigan’s dressing room door opened 10 minutes after the game. Princeton’s took much longer. Michigan coach Dave Strack emerged to face reporters and admit the obvious: “If that Bradley doesn’t foul out, we’re in serious trouble.”
Strack praised Bradley: “He’s something else. I’ve seen him for a full game now. He is great.”
Russell, who scored 27 points, said he had wanted to take the final shot. “I felt like I should,” he said. Because of inevitable comparisons between him and Bradley? “No, I just wanted to do my best. I did.”
After a long wait, Princeton coach Bill van Breda Kolff opened the door and peered out. “I wasn’t going to say anything at first,” he started. He said Bradley had asked not to speak with the press. When questioned on it, van Breda Kolff became angry. “Take it from me — he said it!” he snapped.
The coach lingered a moment and was asked whether he had considered resting Bradley when the player appeared weary midway through the second half.
“I was afraid they’d get a good head of steam,” he replied. “It was my fault. I should have given him a rest. What else can I say?”
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