In a battle of wills on enemy turf, Caledonia Gladiators emerged victorious, 74-67, against the Newcastle Eagles in their final group-stage clash of the Betty Codona Trophy. It was a victory forged through resolve, teamwork and mental toughness.

Coming into the game, the stakes were high. The Gladiators knew their backs were against the wall and that they’d need to scrap for every possession. From tip-off the game had the feel of a heavyweight contest: physical, contested, and with momentum swinging on each play.

The Gladiators asserted themselves early under the boards and in half-court sets. They pulled down 40 rebounds to Newcastle’s 37, refusing to concede second chances or let the Eagles build off missed shots. From close-range, the Gladiators found success, converting 21 of 43 two-point attempts (48%). In the trenches, they were fighting for every inch and making sure the battle extended beyond just scoring.

Guarding their own paint and disrupting New­cas­tle’s flow, the Gladiators forced 21 turnovers, turning defence into offence with lethal transition bursts. Their 23 assists speak to how they slipped through the cracks of the Eagles’ defence.

When the fourth quarter began, the tension was real; the late stretch became a test of character. That calm under pressure pulled them through.

Key contributors rose to the challenge. The starters set the standard, and the bench maintained it. The Gladiators’ rebounding edge, defensive grit, and ability to hammer the interior established the foundation. Then, when that foundation was threatened, their poise from the line and willingness to finish plays sealed the deal.

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