ROANOKE FIVE TAKES TITLE AT EVANSVILLE

March 18, 1972

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EVANSVILLE, Ind., March 17 (AP)—Unheralded Roanoke College of Salem, Va., led all the way tonight to defeat Akron 84‐72, and win the National Collegiate college‐division basketball championship.

The Maroons, closing with a 20‐game winning streak and a 28.4 won‐lost record, captured a 38.30 half‐time lead after twice leading by 14 points.

Akron made its big run in the first four minutes of the second half, but it wasn't enough.

Jay Piccola, who was flattened by a punch during last night's semifinals, and Hal Johnston, the Maroons’ senior playmaker, each scored 22 points. Johnston, a 6‐foot senior, was voted the top player of the tournament.

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