The 1966 Saints hoops team, coached by the late Tom Kelly, was the first squad in school history to qualify for the NAIA National Tournament, in Kansas City.
Carroll tied with Eastern Montana (now MSU-Billings) for the Montana Collegiate Conference (now Frontier) championship, with 8-2 league records.
A coin toss determined the site of a one-game playoff for the title. The Saints won the flip, and then proceeded to beat the Rockies 73-70 in the Helena High gym, behind the 30-point, 21-rebound effort of sophomore Tony Sapit, a 6-6 post from Chicago.
Next, Carroll hosted the College of Idaho in a best-of-three series for the District 5 championship.
The Saints captured the first game 67-48, powered by Sapit’s 17 points and 17 boards, and 10 assists from 6-2 guard Jim Mallard of Cincinnati.
After Idaho won the second game 84-72 to force the rubber match, Carroll qualified for nationals with a 76-69 victory over the Coyotes. Mallard poured in 26 points, followed by 6-5 forward Arnie Anderson, with 22 counters and 14 boards.
At the NAIA tourney, Carroll opened with a 91-88 triumph over Bethune Cookman of Florida. Sapit poured in 29 points, Mallard chipped in with 19 points and 11 assists, and Andersen tossed in 18 markers.
The Hilltoppers were then eliminated, in a competitive 95-86 loss to powerful Grambling College. Mallard fired in 30 points, with Sapit tossing in 20.
Carroll finished at 20-12. Kelly was named the MCC Coach of the Year, while Sapit and Andersen were both selected All-Conference first team. Mallard, who still resides in Helena, was named second team All-MCC. Rounding out the starting lineup were Ed Birrer, Jim Gusick and Dave Hauntz.
