Caledonia Gladiators produced an impressive performance on the road to claim an 87 – 79 victory over Newcastle Eagles at the Vertu Arena. The contest was tightly fought in the early stages, with the sides level at 21- 21 after the opening quarter. A dominant third quarter proved pivotal, as Caledonia increased the tempo, moved the ball effectively and took control on the glass, swinging the momentum firmly in their favour.

Caledonia’s physical presence inside was a key factor, finishing with a commanding 50–33 rebounding advantage and outscoring the Eagles in the paint. The Gladiators also showed composure at the free-throw line, converting 18 points from the stripe, while forcing Newcastle into 21 turnovers that disrupted the hosts’ rhythm during crucial stretches.

Matthew Ragsdale led with 21 points and continued to apply pressure offensively, with Ethan Wright contributing 11 points and 12 rebounds alongside his strong presence on both ends of the floor. The Gladiators’ control of the glass and ability to move the ball effectively proved decisive, as they maintained their composure down the stretch to secure a well-earned road victory in Newcastle. While Kyle Jimenez orchestrated the game effectively, finishing with 7 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. LJ Bryan added valuable minutes in the paint, and Malcolm Delpeche made a strong impact off the bench with 12 points on efficient shooting in his return to Newcastle, helping the Gladiators maintain their edge throughout the second half.

Despite a late push from Newcastle, Caledonia remained composed in the closing minutes, executing well on both ends of the floor to see out the win. The result marks a statement road victory for the Gladiators, underlining their resilience and growing cohesion as they continue to build momentum in league play.

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