Friday, January 14, 2011

Posted by Titan Sports Blogger

Fifty years ago today Westminster stood tall on a night when the Titans were the main event amongst Pittsburgh's elite college and professional sports teams.

The day was Saturday, Jan. 14, 1961, when the Buzz Ridl-coached Titan basketball team visited the Pitt Field House for the Scoreboard Fund basketball tripleheader for Children's Hospital. A crowd of 5,219 watched three basketball games. In the undercards, Duquesne defeated Carnegie Tech, 84-76, in the opener before the Pittsburgh Steelers footballers edged the World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates baseballers, 23-20, in an exhibition game.

Then there was the main event.

An undersized Westminster team upset the heavily-favored Pitt Panthers, 76-51. After trailing 14-7 early, the Titans used a fast-breaking style of offense to take a 37-26 halftime lead. In the second half, the Titans dictated the style of play, reverting back to a half-court, ball-control style on offense and smothering the Panthers on the defensive end. Leading 54-43, the Titans went on a 10-0 run to seal the win.

The New Castle News said the Titans won by "sheer hustle."

Ron Galbreath led all scorers with 28 points, including a perfect 10-10 from the foul line, and Jack Steele and Warren Sallade each contributed with 17. Here is a photo of the starting five from that team, left to right, Galbreath, Steele, Stephen Stolarik, Sallade and Bill Douds.

The win improved Westminster's record to 10-2 before the Titans finished with a 23-5 record, which included an 88-68 win over Pitt in New Wilmington later in the season.

The Titan Sports Blog is the official weblog of Westminster College varsity athletics that provides fans with additional news, features and commentary. Please send news tips to sportsinfo@westminster.edu.