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A tight game for Gladiators this Saturday as they headed to Surrey in search of their first Super League Basketball Championship win. An evenly matched game ended with Surrey taking a strong lead in the fourth quarter and ultimately coming away with the win. The Surrey 89ers saw commanding performances from guards Jalen Ray and Cameron Gooden that propelled the team to their first victory in the SLB Championship.
The first quarter saw both teams trading baskets early, with little between the two. Gladiators saw some unlucky rolls around the basket, helping Surrey take the three-point lead at the end of the 10-minute quarter. Despite the elite shooting on show by the 89ers, Gladiators were able to keep the game close entering the second quarter. The first quarter ended 27 – 24 to the 89ers.
The second quarter remained tight between the Gladiators and 89ers with the score remaining close. The Caledonia Gladiators were able to make back some ground with the half ending with just one point between the two teams. Both teams were plagued by turnovers and poor shooting to start the second quarter, with the first basketball not being scored until two minutes in With the aid of strong defence by the Gladiators and a three from Forward, Fraser Malcolm, Gladiators were able to take the four-point lead. However, the 89ers continued to battle behind starting guard Jalen Ray to come back and take a one-point lead going into half-time. The half-time score was 44 – 43 to the Surrey 89ers.
A gap between the two teams started to open in the third quarter of basketball. Having struggled from three in the first half, shooting a low 2 – 11 from behind the arch, the Caledonia Gladiators were able to find more rhythm improving to 3 – 8 during the third quarter with tonight’s MVP, Patrick Whelan, scoring 2 big baskets in an attempt to keep the team in the game. However, the Surrey 89ers were able to create separation from the Gladiators, taking a 6-point lead enter the final 10 minutes of play. The third quarter of play ended 70 – 64 to Surrey.
The game came down to the final 10 minutes of basketball, with either team able to take home their first Super League Basketball Championship win. Despite tough shooting for both teams from behind the arc, fouls and turnovers helped the 89ers take a strong lead into the final minutes of action, leading by 9 with 3 minutes of action to go. Despite trading baskets in the final minutes, Gladiators were able to stop the 89ers with the game ultimately ending in a 9-point win to the Surrey 89ers.
The end score of the game was 92 – 83 to the Surrey 89ers.
Tonight’s MVP for the Caledonia Gladiators was Patrick Whelan
Come watch Patrick Whelan and the Caledonia Gladiators as they take on KB Trepca in their final Europe Cup Group Game this Wednesday, November 13th!
