60 years ago on this day (1964) -- one of the great days in Wichita basketball history.
The WU Fieldhouse on the Wichita University campus hosted two games in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, drawing a packed-in crowd of 10,811 fans to the Roundhouse.
One of the games in the Regional Semifinals had Kansas State defeating Texas Western 64-60; the Miners came into the game with a record of 25-2. Willie Murrell had 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Wildcats, and Roger Suttner added 16 points and 13 rebounds. With the win, K-State advanced into the Elite Eight (Regional Finals) with a record of 20-5, on a 12-game winning streak.
In the other game, 5th-ranked Wichita defeated Creighton 84-68; for the Shockers, it was their first-ever NCAA Tournament game. Dave Stallworth led WU with 22 points and a career-high 23 rebounds; 18 of his points came in the second half. Nate Bowman added 16 points for the Shockers.
But a reserve forward for the Shockers, Larry Nosich, who had scored only 18 points the entire season, came off the bench and made three straight baskets to salvage Wichita's lead after Creighton had pulled to within three at 57-54 after being down by as many as 15 points.
With the win, Wichita advanced into Elite 8 (Regional Finals) on a six-game winning streak, with a record of 23-5.
As it turned out, it would be the final win with the Shockers for long-time head coach Ralph Miller, who would leave Wichita after the season.
Future NBA star Paul Silas led Creighton with 22 points and 17 rebounds.
Jim Barnes, Texas Western's 6‐foot 7‐inch center, who was averaging 30.6 points a game and leading the nation in rebounding with 22 a game, was stopped cold. He managed only four points and nine rebounds against coach Tex Winter and Kansas State's 1‐3‐1 zone defense.
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