March 21
From Hoopedia
- 1893 - (Above) The first collegiate women's basketball game is played at Smith College. The freshman class plays the sophomore class. The doors to the gym are locked and no men are allowed to watch.
- 1941 - North Carolina is out-gunned by Pitt, 26-21, in the regional finals of the NCAA Division I Men's Tournament and sets the tournament record for fewest points scored.
- 1945 - In the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), George Mikan of DePaul scores 53 points to tie Rhode Island; his teammates add another 44, making the final score 97-53, DePaul.
- 1949 - In their final game, the Renaissance Five (also known as the New York Rens, but playing in the National Basketball League as the Dayton Rens) defeat the Denver Nuggets, 69-55. Their lifetime record was 2,588-529.
- 1953 - Bob Cousy scores 50 points (25 of which were in overtime play) as the Celtics outlast Syracuse, 111-105, in four overtimes to eliminate the Nationals in the Eastern Division Semifinals. Cousy’s 30 free-throws made was an NBA playoff record.
- 1959 - Oscar Robertson produces the first triple-double in the NCAA Tournament's Final Four history, tallying 39 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in Cincinnati's 98-85 win over Louisville in the National Consolation game.
- 1964 - The UCLA Bruins, with no starter taller than 6'5", defeat Duke, 98-83, to give Coach John Wooden the first of his ten NCAA Tournament championships. Finishing the season 30-0, they become only the third team to go undefeated and win the title.
