The Caledonia Gladiators secured an 87–79 home victory over Sheffield Sharks at Playsport Arena on Friday night, overcoming a late fightback to claim their second win in the 2026/27 Super League Basketball Championship.
Both teams struggled to find their rhythm early on, managing just two points apiece in the opening five minutes. However, the Gladiators soon found their footing, taking control of the contest with a dominant run to close the first quarter with an 18–4 lead.
The Gladiators carried that momentum into the second quarter, continuing to stretch the gap and putting Sheffield under pressure. Their advantage grew to as many as 33 points, with Caledonia finding success across the floor and making the most of their opportunities in transition. By half-time, the Gladiators had established a significant advantage, leading 50–24.
Sheffield looked to respond after the break, finding greater success offensively and gradually chipping away at the deficit. The Sharks narrowly outscored Caledonia in the third quarter, but the Gladiators continued to find answers to maintain a comfortable lead heading into the final period.
The visitors continued their fight in the fourth quarter, taking advantage of turnovers to put pressure on the home side and threaten a comeback. However, the Gladiators held their nerve when it mattered most, managing the closing stages to secure the 87–79 victory in front of 1,100 fans at Playsport Arena.
Friday night also marked the debut of the Gladiators’ latest roster addition, Isiah Small, who made an immediate impact in his first appearance for the club. Small recorded an impressive 15 points and 17 rebounds, providing a commanding presence on the boards and contributing at both ends of the court. His outstanding debut performance earned him MVP honours, capping off a memorable first outing in Gladiators colours.
Terry Roberts led the Gladiators’ scoring with 17 points, while Al-Amir Dawes added 16 off the bench. Braxton Williams and Christian Keeling contributed 13 points each, highlighting Caledonia’s scoring depth in a hard-fought home victory.
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