THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY: 3/21

1893 – The first women’s college basketball takes place as the freshman and sophomores from Smith College in Massachusetts play against each other. With each basket counting just one point, the freshman beat the sophomores 5-4. The game was held behind locked doors with men prohibited from watching.

1941 – Joe Louis knocks out Abe Simon in the 13th round to retain the world heavyweight title.

1945 – In the semi-finals of the National Invitation Tournament, DePaul’s George Mikan scores 53 points, matching Rhode Island’s total output, as DePaul wins 97-53.

1953 – Bob Cousy sets an NBA record by scoring 50 points in a game, accomplishing the feat in a 111-105 quadruple overtime win over the Syracuse Nationals. 30 of Cousy’s points came from the free throw line.

1961 – Art Modell purchases the Cleveland Browns for a record price of $3,925,000. In the 1990’s, he would move the team to Baltimore.

1964 – UCLA finishes off an undefeated 30-0 season as the Bruins defeat Duke 95-83 in the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game. It’s the first title for UCLA under coach John Wooden.

1978 – The San Diego Padres fire manager Al Dark, making him the second ever manager fired during spring training.

1985 – Bobby Carpenter of the Washington Capitals becomes the first US-born NHL player to score 50 goals in a season.

1990 – Brett Hull of the St. Louis Blues becomes the sixth player in NHL history to score 70 goals in a season.

1994 – Wayne Gretzky ties Gordie Howe’s record of 801 career goals.

2019 – Ichiro Suzuki plays in his final career game as the Mariners and A’s square off in Japan to open the season. Ichiro finished his career with 4,367 professional hits, combining his numbers from Japan and MLB.