On this day 54 years ago, the basketball team, with the Ivy League title already in hand after a win over St. Paul’s five days earlier, defeated Trinity in a thriller, 44-43. After falling to the Blue and White, 61-69, on February 9, Trinity seemed eager to gain revenge on the newly minted champs by grabbing a 17-16 lead after one quarter. Stony Brook Hall of Famer Allan Malachuk got off to a blistering start with 10 points in the opening frame, but was held scoreless in the second as Trinity outscored the Brook 19-8 to take a 12-point halftime edge.

The Blue and White defense did its part in the third, holding their hosts to just three points as they reduced the deficit to six entering the pivotal final frame. The defense for the Brook was again the difference as they stymied the powerful Trinity offense, holding them to 7 second half points after allowing 36 in the first. Malachuk and Dick Skripak were the heroes as they combined to score all of Stony Brook’s 11 fourth quarter points to complete the comeback. Malachuk finished with a game-high 21 points while Skripak added 10.

Brooks Slip by Trinity

~ Newsday Headline from 3/7/57

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