Today in Central PA Sports History - 1962
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March 2, 1962
48 years ago today, Wilt Chamberlain set the NBA single-game scoring record by scoring 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in a 169-147 victory over the New York Knicks at the Hersheypark Arena. As part of a few games each year the Warriors played in Hershey, 4,124 spectators came for an exhibition basketball game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Colts and then a regular season matchup between the two NBA rivals. The Knicks came into the game at the bottom of the standings and without their starting center, Phil Jordon, who was back at the team hotel sick. This allowed the Warriors and Wilt to attack the post against the Knicks' frontcourt reserves, Darrall Imhoff and Dave Budd.
Earlier in the season, Chamberlain had set the single-game record when he tallied 78 points against the Lakers in a triple overtime game. On this momentous night in Chocolatetown, he scored his 79th point with 7:51 still remaining in regulation. With the fans chanting, "Give It To Wilt! Give It To Wilt!", Warriors coach Frank McGuire instructed his team to keep feeding Chamberlain on every trip down the floor. Realizing the futility of the situation and fearing the humiliation of Wilt scoring 100 points on them, the Knicks began fouling every other player on the Warriors to force them to shoot free throws instead on giving Wilt the opportunity to score. The Warriors responded by using any means necessary to get Chamberlain the ball. With 46 seconds left in the game, Warriors guard Joe Ruklick passed up an easy layup to feed Chamberlain on the basket that would top the century mark. The fans in the arena erupted and they stormed the court to celebrate. After a nine-minute break, the game was resumed and the remainder was finished with Chamberlain standing in the middle circle just waiting for the game to end.
Chamberlain's line on this historical night was 36 for 63 from the field (both NBA records) and 28 out of 32 from the foul line from the career 51% free throw shooter. Said Chamberlain, “The 100-point game will never be as important to me as it is to some other people, because I’m embarrassed by it. After I got into the 80s, I pushed for 100 and it destroyed the game because I took shots that I normally never would. I mean, 63 shots? You take that many shots on the playground and no one ever wants you on their team again.”
Thanks for coming and suckling Daddy's Sugar Ball...
March 2, 1962
Earlier in the season, Chamberlain had set the single-game record when he tallied 78 points against the Lakers in a triple overtime game. On this momentous night in Chocolatetown, he scored his 79th point with 7:51 still remaining in regulation. With the fans chanting, "Give It To Wilt! Give It To Wilt!", Warriors coach Frank McGuire instructed his team to keep feeding Chamberlain on every trip down the floor. Realizing the futility of the situation and fearing the humiliation of Wilt scoring 100 points on them, the Knicks began fouling every other player on the Warriors to force them to shoot free throws instead on giving Wilt the opportunity to score. The Warriors responded by using any means necessary to get Chamberlain the ball. With 46 seconds left in the game, Warriors guard Joe Ruklick passed up an easy layup to feed Chamberlain on the basket that would top the century mark. The fans in the arena erupted and they stormed the court to celebrate. After a nine-minute break, the game was resumed and the remainder was finished with Chamberlain standing in the middle circle just waiting for the game to end.
Chamberlain's line on this historical night was 36 for 63 from the field (both NBA records) and 28 out of 32 from the foul line from the career 51% free throw shooter. Said Chamberlain, “The 100-point game will never be as important to me as it is to some other people, because I’m embarrassed by it. After I got into the 80s, I pushed for 100 and it destroyed the game because I took shots that I normally never would. I mean, 63 shots? You take that many shots on the playground and no one ever wants you on their team again.”
Thanks for coming and suckling Daddy's Sugar Ball...
Posted by Max Power at 3/2/2010 12:00 PM 
Categories: Central PA Sports History
Tags: Wilt Chamberlain Hersheypark Arena Philadelphia Warriors 100 New York Knicks
Categories: Central PA Sports History
Tags: Wilt Chamberlain Hersheypark Arena Philadelphia Warriors 100 New York Knicks
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