Cousy, East Win All-Star Contest; Pettit Stands Out

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 21--Despite Bob Pettit's great double-record performance of 28 points and 26 rebounds, the East took a 130-118 victory in the NBA All-Star game tonight, guided by the old pro of the Boston Celtics, Bob Cousy.

Playing with a cast on his injured left arm, Pettit did his best before a partisan crowd of 12,854 at the St. Louis Arena.

But Cousy, and his 6 ft. 10 in. playmate, Bill Russell, came through down the stretch. The East pulled away after a close, bitterly-contested battle for three quarters.

Cousy, hawking the ball and passing brilliantly, put in 20 points, 16 of them in the last half. Russell had 10 of his 11 points in the last half.

The decisive point came with seven minutes left and the East in front only one point, 107-106.

Cousy, driving for the goal, was fouled by Dick McGuire of Detroit as he attempted a twisting hook. He made both free throws, then popped in two more goals and a free throw for a 114-108 lead. The West was through.

Pettit's game--the best in NBA All-Star annals--earned him the most valuable player award for the second time. He also was chosen in 1956 when he led the West to one of the two victories it has scored in this eight-game series.

Coliseum Criticized

BROOKLYN, Jan. 21--Dodgers' vice-president Buzzie Bavasi today came to the defense of the 250-foot left field fence in the Los Angeles Coliseum and, at the same time, took a verbal swing at the complaining National League pitchers.

"Look who's doing the squawking, Antonelli and Spahn," he said angrily. "Why Antonelli of the San Francisco Giants lost 18 games last year and he's making excuses should he lose another 18 this season. He's already negotiating for next year's contract.

"Sphahn of the Milwaukee Braves is another one to talk, isn't he? There's a guy who's pitched only about two innings in two years against us. He wouldn't know Gil Hodges or Roy Campenella if he met them on the street."

Antonelli and Spahn were among the hurlers who yesterday derided the proximity of the Coliseum's left field barrier. Bob Friend of Pittsburgh also joined in as did other stars, past and present, who said the game was turning into a "Hitters' paradise and pitchers' nightmare."

Bavasi, here with club President O'Malley to attend Sunday's annual dinner of the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers' Assn. took an opposite view.