The New York Knickerbockers, although never really extended, had to go all out at several stages to slap down the Williamsport Billies, 78-64, in an exhibition game last night on the West Third Street wooden way.

A crowd of 502 watched the Billies, playing perhaps their best game of the infant season, stay within breathing distance of the National Basketball Association Club for some 17 minutes. Then with Goebel Ritter, former Eastern Kentucky State star dumping in two quick field goals the next grabbed 11 point, 41-30 lead at halftime.

From then on the margin ranged from 8 to 18 points as Ray Lumpp, Harry Gallatin, and Vince Boryla carried the load with brilliant assistance from clever Dick McGuire.

Johnnie Gozenovich was high scorer for the Billies, cellar dwellers of the Northern Division of the Eastern Circuit, with 14 points, one more than Bill Goodwin who started to hit his old form in the second half. Perk Stabley added 12 and Wally Hatkevich, 11.

Connie Simmons, 6-8 and Sweetwater Cliffton 6-6, literally batted the ball down Billy Throats on attempted layups, while Galletin was a demon under his own boards.

Despite their seventh loss in nine starts, including exhibitions, the Billies showed signs of regaining the form that carried them to the Eastern League Championship during the last two season.