Overwhelming. That is the word that best describes the 1969-70 Kentucky State basketball team. The Thorobreds stormed into Ypsilanti on February 23rd with a record of 21-2, averaging 107 points per game. Two of the best players in all of college basketball starred for Kentucky State, ranked sixth in the most recent NAIA National Poll. Travis Grant and Elmore Smith were finishing off a spectacular campaign in which they were compiling some astounding personal statistics. Grant, a sophomore forward, scored 32 points per game and hit 75% of his field goal attempts. In a game a week earlier, against Northwood (Illinois), Grant poured in 75 points. Smith, a seven foot center, had pulled in an average of 25 rebounds per game. But the 17-6 Hurons were certainly not pushovers. EMU was ranked 18th in the national poll and head coach Jim Dutcher had quite a few weapons in his arsenal. Senior guard Harvey Marlatt owned EMU's career records for scoring, field goal percentage, and free throws. Forward Earle Higgins had led the Hurons in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore two years earlier--but that was before Kennedy McIntosh. The 6'7" center from South Haven would average 20 points and eight rebounds a game during this, his junior season. He saved his best for the imposing Thorobreds. It was "Harvey Marlatt Night" at Bowen Field House and a record 6,800 fans were on hand to show their appreciation for Marlatt's four years of scoring and leadership. They were also there to witness a colossal NAIA matchup between two talented and confident teams. Kentucky State coach Lucius Mitchell employed a zone press defense in the first half to try to rattle EMU's guards and keep the Huron forwards from making much of an early impact. The plan backfired, however, as EMU junior guard Al Jagutis repeatedly broke the press and ended the night with 11 assists. The lead changed hands several times early on and the two teams did not disappoint the huge crowd. There was Travis Grant, pouring in shot after shot over the harried Huron defense. Coach Mitchell put on his usual show, roaring up and down the sidelines to protest every unfavorable call. Here also was Elmore Smith, planted like a massive oak in the paint. |
But wait: Eastern Michigan's McIntosh--aka "Superman"--climbed out of a telephone booth and adjusted his cape. Giving up five inches to Smith, McIntosh nevertheless used his quickness and positioning to outplay his bigger rival. Eastern held a 15-11 lead on a Marlatt layup but the 'Breds came back and led, 33-29, at the halfway point of the first stanza. Like prizefighters, the two NAIA heavyweights stood toe-to-toe pounding each other with fast breaks, layups, and rainbow jumpers. The Hurons started to pull away late in the half, with McIntosh and Higgins inflicting most of the damage. Another Marlatt layup gave the Hurons a 59-52 halftime lead. Kentucky State roared out of the lockerroom and outscored EMU, 13-4, in the first four minutes of the second half to take a 65-63 lead. But then the Hurons got hot and scored eight straight. With 10:54 remaining, a Smith layup brought State within four, 79-75. The seesaw battle then shifted back towards Eastern. Guard Lindell Reason, playing with a strained knee, ignited a 12-2 run that electrified the Bowen crowd--which may have just then realized their hometown Hurons could actually beat the Thorobreds. But Kentucky State was not through. A William Graham bucket reduced the lead to eight, 93-85, with seven minutes left to play. But it was too much McIntosh down the stretch. Mac scored the next six points of the game, and when Reason scored on a lay-in Eastern took control of the game, 101-85, with just over five minutes left. Dutcher put his team into a semi-stall offense and the Hurons capped the victory with several free throws. The fans certainly got their money's worth. The two teams combined for 214 points even though the Huron "D" kept the high flying Thorobreds under the century mark. Grant scored 36 and Smith added 20 points and 13 rebounds. Earle Higgins recovered a share of the limelight with his 24 points and 12 boards. Reason scored 18 despite his gimpy knee and Marlatt totaled 17 in his final regular-season appearance at Bowen. It was Kennedy McIntosh, however, who personally overwhelmed a Kentucky State team that would eventually win the first of three-straight NAIA championships. The future first-round NBA selection poured in 34 points and grabbed 22 rebounds in one of the greatest individual performances in Huron Hardwood History. Return to: Huron Hardwood History Dave's Attic |
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Harvey Marlatt |
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Lindell Reason |
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February 23, 1970 Ypsilanti, MI Eastern Michigan 116 Kentucky State 98 |