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Albany Knickerbocker News- Cage Bisons Cop Opener
Buffalo--The Buffalo Bisons were off to a running start in the National Professional Basketball circuit today after chalking up a 50-39 weekend victory over the Syracuse Nationals. The Bisons, a new entrant in the league, made their debut before a crowd of 4,182 Memorial Auditorium fans a winning one chiefly, on the efforts of Don Otten, Mel Thurston and William (Pop) Gates. The former pair snared 15 points apiece, while Gates flipped in 11, five of them on charity throws. Syracuse Herald Journal- Nats Home After Two Road Losses
Coach Benny Borgmann’s Syracuse Nats of the National Professional Basketball League today welcomed a return to the West Jefferson St. Armory to hold its practice for the upcoming home opener against Youngstown after two losses on the road. Borgmann thought his charges profited immensely by experience gained in their bowing to Toledo and Buffalo in their first two games in the league. The Bisons won from Syracuse 51-39. The non-league games will be played by the Nats before the home opener. They will face the Worcester, Mass five at Gloversville tonight and with the Buffalo Bisons of the National League Wednesday night at the Armory. After the game Thursday night the Nats will invade Rochester Saturday night to oppose the Royals, defending champions, who will appear here in a return game Sunday night. Seven-footer Don Otten, former All-America star from Bowling Green, was an ace in Buffalo in the last game and John Gee who stands six feet 10 inches shone for Syracuse outscoring Otten, 17-15. A crowd of 4,383 watched the Bisons win their first game as they pulled for the victory and marked the introduction of basketball to Buffalo fans. They like the brand of play.