This day in NY sports history

THIS DAY IN NY SPORTS HISTORY

Wednesday, March 26, 1952

St. John's loses to Kansas in NCAA final

After reaching the NCAA final with a two-point win over Illinois the previous night, No. 10 St. John's was beaten for the championship by eighth-ranked Kansas, 80-63, in Seattle. Jayhawks center Clyde Lovelette scored what was then an NCAA Tournament-record 33 points, surpassing St. John's center Bob Zawoluk's record of 32. Kansas led the game wire-to-wire and the Redmen had no answer for the 6-9 Lovelette, who shot 12-of-25 from the field and added nine free throws. He became the first player to lead the nation in scoring and rebounding and win the NCAA championship. Zawoluk led St. John's (25-6) with 20 points. The tournament was the first to have a "Final Four" format.