And Joe Mullaney. And Kaftan." As nearly as Kaftan and his teammates could figure it, that meant one man was expected to play three positions at once. The Crusaders rolled their eyes as they headed for the floor. The usual starting five went out for the opening tip. "So you're the young hotshot I've heard so much about," the 25-year-old Tucker said to Kaftan. "Hang it up, Gerry," Kaftan, 19, replied with a smile. "It's a young man's game." The two players and teams proceeded to stage a sensational first half. There were eight lead changes and10 ties as the Sooners and Crusaders battled over every basket. Tucker was particularly formidable, his hook shots accounting for five baskets. It was he who led a seven-point surge in the final minutes of the half for a 31-28 Oklahoma lead. Holy Cross made two notable changes in the second half. Reserve Bob Curran was assigned the task of guarding Tucker, and the Crusaders began to step up the pace of the game. With an edge in speed and depth, the New Englanders soon took the lead and maintained it. Tucker's only field goal of the half, a hook shot, cut the deficit to four points with three minutes remaining and Pryor's free throw chopped it to 48-45. But that was as close as the Sooners would come. Holy Cross scored 10 of the last 12 points in the game for a 58-47 conquest. The team without a campus gymnasium reigned over college basketball. Tucker was the game's high scorer with 22 points, but no other Oklahoma player was in double figures. Kaftan finished with 18 points and was Holy Cross' rebounding tar, while O'Connell added 16 points and Oftring 14 for the Crusaders. Cousy, the freshman substitute who would become the most famous player in school history and a great professional, contributed two free throws. The implausible championship stimulated college basketball interest throughout New England, And it evenresulted in the construction of a practice gym on the Holy Cross campus....
