Mar. 4, 1964 - Princeton, led by Bill Bradley, tonight settled what had been a tight Ivy League basketball race by beating Penn, 76-66, at the Palestra in Philadelphia. The victory gave the Tigers the crown for the fourth time in the last five seasons. The triumph, gained before 8,734 fans, moved Princeton into the first round of the NCAA tournament, set for the Palestra Monday night.
Coach Butch van Breda Kolff’s Tiger’s never trailed, as Bradley, the all-American junior from Crystal City, Mo., paced the offense. He sank 29 points and passed off in fine fashion to set up many other shots.
Two and a half weeks ago, four teams were tied for the Ivy League lead. One by one, Cornell, Yale, and Penn fell from that high spot, leaving Princeton atop alone. The Tigers will face Virginia Military Institute, the champion of the Southern Conference, Monday night.
The Tigers got off to a fast start against Penn. Bradley scored 6 of his team’s first 10 points and fed to Don Niemann for two other tallies. Bradley fouled out of the game with 1:04 remaining and Princeton ahead, 74-65. He received a standing ovation from the Princeton and Penn rooters as he left the court.
Loyola University of New Orleans upset LaSalle, 63-61, in the second game of the collegiate double-header.
