ST. LOUIS — Gene Bess became the first college basketball coach to win 1,000 games when Three Rivers Community College beat Forest Park 77-60 Wednesday night.

The 70-year-old Bess' 1,000-258 record is unmatched at any collegiate level. Former North Carolina coach Dean Smith's 879 career wins are the most in NCAA Division I.

Bess has never had a losing season in 36 years of coaching at the Poplar Bluff school.