Columbia Smashes Tigers For League Hoop Crown

Columbia's powerful Lions won their first Ivy League basketball crown since 1951 last night, smashing Princeton's defending champs, 92-74 in a title playoff held at St. John's in New York.

Amazing sophomore Jim McMillan broke a Lion record when he piled up 37 points for a season mark of 575 in 25 games. The 6-5 New Yorker also did a tough defensive job, holding the Tigers' 6-7 forward John Hummer to 10.

Columbia broke to an early lead and then continued to pile up points. Roger Walazsek totalled 20 and another sopho more star, Heyward Dotson, had 19.

Both teams finished the league at 12-2. Princeton beat the Lions last Saturday in New Jersey to force the playoff, but last night it was no contest.

Newmark Plays

Despite predictions to the contrary. Dave Newmark--the 7-0 papa Lion--started in the pivot. Favoring his injured ankle, Newmark got into early foul trouble, and was not a major physical factor, although he might have had some psychological influence in the victory.

The win puts Columbia into the NCAA tournament. A loss would have left the Lions out in the cold, because their plea to the Ivy League that they be allowed to compete in the National Invitational Tournament was denied yesterday before the game.

Blacklisted

Dean Watson explained last night that the NIT is not included on the "white list" of events and championships deemed "in the Ivy League tradition" by the league's athletic directors. Teams may compete only in national championships or in sanctioned events like the Heptagonals and Oxford-Cambridge track meets.

Watson said that the athletic directors could decide to put the NIT on the "white list," but that their move would be subject to the approval of the league presidents. He said the tournament--an invitational affair--reminded him of post-season football bowl games which are never approved.