A back-and-forth game for the Gladiators tonight in Newcastle for the first away trip of the Jonny Bunyan era, that would see both teams even at the end of regulation, 76 -76, taking the game to overtime where ultimately the result would go in the favour of the Newcastle Eagles. A tough defeat for the Gladiators on the road but the strong showing from the team under the new Head Coach shows a glimmer of hope moving through the latter stages of the season
The Gladiators started the game strong on the road against the Eagles, taking any early 8-point lead in the first five minutes of action. However, the Newcastle Eagles would not let their home fans down, fighting their way back into the game to finish the first quarter tied with the Gladiators, 23 -23.
The second quarter would see the two teams remain evenly matched, with just one point separating them at the half with the Gladiators taking the 40 – 41 lead. The Gladiators would show their skill from behind the arc and under the basket to help them take lead in the first half.
The Half-Time score was 40 – 41 to the Caledonia Gladiators.
The Gladiators would continue their momentum into the second half, taking an early 8-point lead within the first minutes of the quarter. The Gladiators put on a show for their travelling fans this Valentine’s Day entering the final quarter of regulation up by 7 points, behind new signing Devearl Ramsey. However, the Eagles weren’t willing to break the heart of their fans and would fight their way back into the game during the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter saw the action reach new levels. The Eagles fought themselves back into the game, and with the game under their control took a 8-point lead of their own with 5 minutes left of regulation. Mike Okauru put his team on his back with an impressive 40-point game in front of his home fans. However, the Gladiators didn’t let this distract them from their own job, refocusing their attention on the task at hand and taking the game down to the wire, down 2 with 2 minutes left. A tipped lay-up by Toto Fagbenle would see the Gladiators tie the game with 30 seconds left and force the game to Overtime!
The score at the end of regulation was 76 – 76.
However, the Eagles, backed by their home fans, would end up victorious at the end of Overtime. The Gladiators would struggle from behind the arc in overtime and efficient shooting for the Eagles would see them winning overtime 10 – 5. The Gladiators put on a show their fans can be proud of in the first of two road games this weekend, despite the result. They look ahead to their next game in London this Sunday.
The end score of the game was 86 – 81.
Top Performers.
Devearl Ramsey: 25 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists.
Trevond Barnes: 19 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists.
