New Britain herald., 1927-02-14

A near riot was narrowly aTerted Saturday night at the state armory in this city when the National Guard basketball team swept to a sensa- tional 46 to 39 victory over the Atlas of New Haven. So intense was the feeling engendered in the fans who were present that in the second half the game was interrupted three times by the spectators who swarmed on the floor and started fights in all sections of the hall. A riot call to police headquarters and the sum- moning of policemen along the ad- jacent beats served to quiet the spec tators sufficiently to allow the game to come to a close with the National Guards leading.
 The trouble started when a sub- stitute player of the Atlas A. c. sit ting on the side lines, upon the en- trance of Mert Taylor of the Guards into the game, shouted to Hurwit2 of the Atlas: Get that guy, Mush, '' and Hurwitz started to dog Taylor around the floor. Hurwitz on an attmpt to stop Taylor from shoot ing, hit Taylor in the face and the New Britain player squared off as if he was going to fight. Following the remark which was heard all through the hall, the fans were only waiting for an excuse to start house cleaning" and they swarmed on the floor. Several fistic engagements started all at once.
 Referee Dick Dillon showed his capability in handling a crowd in exciting moments and he separated the players before any blows were struck and the floor was soon clear cd. Shortly after that Dillon called a foul on Shrimp" Evans and he went for the referee, swinging his arms wildly. He failed to land a blow because Dick pushed him away, but again the fans swarmed onto the floor and started a free for all. Fights started everywhere on the floor between Atlas and Guard back fore the floor could be cleared. Only a few seconds remained to end the game and as Johnny Sheehan drop ped in a free try, the final whistle blew ending the game but not the fighting.
 Police reserves had arrived while the near-riot was at it's height and the presence of the blue coats serv- ed to quiet down the inflamed crowd. Downstairs in the smoking quarters, several more fights started but they were quickly stopped before any material damage was done. Mana ger Bailey's remark was in very poor taste and the breaks made by the New Haven players, especially Evans attack on the referee. was a display of lack of sportsmanship, but after the game was over, all shook hands and called the incidents closed.
 The basketball game itself, was beautiful spectacle to watch. Both teams were playing hard and to this was caused in the second half. The Atlas started off with a whirlwind rush to lead by a 23 to IF score at the first half, but New Britain caught them and passed them out in the scoring column in the eventful sec ond half.
 The Guards got away at the tap of the bell in the first half to q 5 to lead. Sheehan scored free try 45 seconds after the game start ed. Kilduff scored pretty field goal at 55 seconds and Rubenstein caged another at the 1885 mark. Here the Atlas team called time out and upon resumption of play, started in to try and win the game.
 In all the games played here this season. there has been no more spec tacular or sensational exhibition of clean long shooting as was given by Botwlnick of the New Haven team in Saturday nights game. He scored seven baskets during the game, five of them in the first half and every shot was made from the center of the floor.
 At the two minute mark, he shot one fram the center circle for the first points for the Atlas. He fol- lowed 15 seconds later with another from the same spot and still another went through the hoop at the 4:30 mark whirled by Botwinick from a long point, putting the New Haven team in the lead, to 5.
 Nho on the resumption of play, Sheehan took a dribble in and caged a basket. He was fouled in the attempt and Johnny made the two free tries awarded him good, to give the Guards the lead again to 6. At the six minute mark, Rubenstein scored another field goal.
 Again the Atlas team called time out and upon returning into the battle. Shrimp" Evans scored field goal for his team. Sloman followed with a pretty long shot for the Guards. Pite got away for nifty sidecourt shot and Botwiniclz shot another of his uncanny long ones to put 1t through the hoop.
 Sloman got away from Gubersky long enough to slip one in making the score IS to t2 in favor of the Guards. Here the Atlas staged I spirited rally which brought them good results. Evans caged a left handed shot from the side court to bring the count to 15 to fl. Guhersky then Tipped long one and made it