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This Day In Hawks History: March 19th

By Jason Marks

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 27: Doc Rivers
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 27: Doc Rivers /
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(Original Caption) Up, up, and away! Cliff Hagen, No. 16, of the St. Louis Hawks, takes to the air behind Detroit Pistons’ guard Dick McGuire, No. 15. In the first period of their game here Feb. 7th. Hagan sank the ball for two points on a difficult lay-up from behind the backboard.
(Original Caption) Up, up, and away! Cliff Hagen, No. 16, of the St. Louis Hawks, takes to the air behind Detroit Pistons’ guard Dick McGuire, No. 15. In the first period of their game here Feb. 7th. Hagan sank the ball for two points on a difficult lay-up from behind the backboard. /

1958: The Dawn Of A Title Run (Game 1 of Western Division Finals)

In 1958, the Hawks would win their lone NBA Championship in Franchise history. That road started on this day in St. Louis.

The Hawks were a heavy favorite finishing 41-31 facing a Detroit Pistons team that finished 2nd in the West at 33-39.

Detroit started out hot in the first quarter as Harry Gallatin sparked the Pistons with 15 points as St. Louis found themselves down 30-23 at the end of the 1st quarter.

In the 2nd quarter, tension rose as Win Wilfong got a few elbows in on Detroit’s George Yardley before benches cleared to calm the ruckus at Kiel Auditorium.

Detroit would inflate their lead to 49-34 until the Hawks would rally to make it a 62-58 deficit at the half.

St. Louis would take a 75-70 lead in the third, but lost their stroke as the Pistons would go on a 15-1 run to take a 9-point lead.

The Hawks were not down yet as they’d rally to tie the game a 92. It was a see-saw battle until Cliff Hagan, who finished with 38 points, iced the game late for a 114-111 victory.

Bob Pettit was battling health issues which held him to 14 points.

(Archived footage from St. Louis-Post Dispatch)

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