Caledonia Gladiators’ hopes of lifting the SLB Trophy were dashed as Sheffield Hatters delivered a strong second-half performance to secure an 80 – 62 victory in the final at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham.
The Gladiators started the contest strong and stayed competitive through the opening quarter, trading scores with the Hatters and showing flashes of attacking promise. Both of the first two quarters at the Utilita Arena saw the teams in a dead heat, with the first half finishing at 39-points each.
The turning point came in the third quarter, where Hatters ramped up the defensive pressure and went on a decisive scoring run. The Gladiators struggled to find rhythm offensively, shooting just 31% from the field overall (25% from 3), while Sheffield capitalised on second-chance opportunities and points in the paint to extend their lead.
Tierra Hodges led the way for the Gladiators with 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, battling hard at both ends, while Annie Warren added 15 points and continued to push the tempo. Despite moments of resistance, the Gladiators were unable to halt Sheffield’s momentum, with the Hatters stretching the lead to as many as 21 points in the final quarter.
Sheffield finished with 50 points in the paint and dominated the rebounding battle, which proved crucial in closing out the contest and securing the Betty Codona Trophy.
While the result ended in disappointment for the Gladiators, the weekend still provided a highlight with Toto Fagbenle once again showcasing his athleticism by successfully defending his SLB Dunk Contest title, repeating his spectacular win from last season.
The Gladiators will take lessons from this heartbreak and refocus on the remainder of the season with a big match up at home next weekend against Essex Rebels in the SLB Championship and another battle against Sheffield Hatters in a hotly anticipated semi-final game to secure a place in the SLB Cup Final in Manchester in March!
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