Ricky Pierce scored 26 points and Fred Roberts added 20 Tuesday night to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 112-109 exhibition victory over the New York Knicks in the annual Hall of Fame game.
Patrick Ewing led all scorers with 27 for the Knicks, including 18 points in the second half as New York battled back from an 89-71 deficit after three periods.Johnny Newman missed a 3-point field goal attempt for the Knicks as time expired.
The Bucks were held scoreless over the first 2:02 of the game as the Knicks jumped off to a 7-0 lead before Roberts sank a pair of free throws. Roberts scored 11 of his points in the period as the Bucks moved out to a 56-48 halftime lead.
Pierce, who hit on seven of 13 attempts from the field, hit a pair of free throws and Jack Sikma sank a field goal to put Milwaukee ahead 107-98 with 1:55 left.
But Ewing hit four free throws and a field goal to offset a pair of field goals by Jay Humprhies and Paul Pressey before Newman sank a 3-pointer to close the gap to 111-107.
New York's Rod Strickland scored with 5 seconds remaining to cut it to 111-109, but Alvin Robertson sank a free throw 2 seconds later to make the score 112-109.
Newman's 3-point attempt missed as the buzzer sounded.
Earlier, 15 candidates were nominated for election to the Basketball Hall of Fame, including first-time nominees Nate "Tiny" Archibald, Elvin Hayes, Bob Lanier, Calvin Murphy and Coach Al McGuire.
To be elected, a successful candidate needs at least 18 votes from the 24 members of the Hall of Fame's Honors Committee. Results are expected in mid-February.
In addition to the new candidates, players renominated were Walt Bellamy, Dave Bing, the late Larry Foust, Ann Meyers, Earl Monroe and Nera White. In addition to McGuire, coaches renominated are Jack Hartman, Jack Ramsey and Wil Robinson. Broadcaster Curt Gowdy was also renominated as contributor to the game.