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In a dramatic contest that went into overtime, Caledonia Gladiators fell just short against B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, with the final score of 84-75 favouring the hosts.
Gladiators were still without Kyle Jimenez and Patrick Whelan after injuries during the week, with both expected to make a return to training by the end of next week.
The Gladiators opened with a determined first quarter, building a 21-15 lead, thanks to Tanner Stuckman’s early accuracy and strong rebounding from Fahro Alihodzic. However, Sheffield clawed back in the second, tightening their defence and closing the gap to 38-34 at halftime. Jacob Groves’ hot hand in the paint caused Gladiators problems, while Prentiss Nixon added to the pressure with key drives to the basket.
The third quarter saw both teams trade blows. Gladiators continued to press hard, with Princeton Onwas and Isaiah Hill playing pivotal roles in setting up fast breaks. Sheffield, however, chipped away at the lead, benefitting from Groves’ consistent scoring and Jamell Anderson’s sharp shooting from the perimeter. By the end of the third, the Gladiators still held a slim 57-55 lead.
Entering the final quarter, Sheffield turned up the intensity. Despite some solid defensive stops by Gladiators’ Ian Dubose and a crucial run that extended their lead to 7, Sheffield found an answer every time. Nixon’s late-game heroics, paired with Groves’ versatility, meant the game was forced into overtime at 71-71, as Gladiators missed some critical opportunities at the free-throw line. Gladiators MVP Tanner Stuckman fouled out just before the end of the quarter, leaving Gladiators without him for overtime.
In overtime, fatigue seemed to set in for the Gladiators as turnovers proved costly. Alihodzic’s valiant effort on the boards kept them in the fight, but Sheffield capitalised on crucial mistakes. Anderson and Nixon were clinical from the line, sealing the game for Sheffield, despite Gladiators pushing till the final seconds.
Gladiators will take heart from their competitiveness, with standout performances from Stuckman (20 points) and Alihodzic (13 points, 9 rebounds). The team’s resilience was evident throughout, but Sheffield’s late-game poise in overtime ultimately edged them out.
View the GAME STATS HERE.
