Gladiators Secure Second Place After a W Over Leicester!

Report by Scott Laidlaw.

Both teams came into the game after facing each other last weekend in Leicester, a game in which the home team won 59-55. Both teams have a record of 15 wins and 3 losses and only points difference spreading them with Caledonia winning that battle by 180 points.

Leicester won the tip but missed 2 free throws early, which Caledonia took advantage of and went up the other end and scored a bucket of their own, but it was traded baskets then Leicester went on a 10-2 run to lead 6-12 early on before Gladiators brought it back to 11-12. The first quarter went back and forth with plenty of lead changes and after Hannah Robb hit a three on the buzzer, Caledonia led 24-21.

The Gladiators started the 2nd quarter where they left off and were on a 9-0 run to lead 30-21, which forced Leicester Riders into a timeout. Ben Stanley’s side came out of the timeout and responded with a bucket of their own to trail 30-23 before a further 7-0 Gladiators run took their lead to 14 points. Their form continued for the final five minutes of the half as they led 47-31 despite a missed final shot from Laken James.

The 3rd quarter started with traded baskets for the gap to remain at 16 points, which was then extended to 18 with 2 Gladiators points. The Leicester Riders went on a 5-0 run to take the game to 13 in favour of the hosts. And by the end of the quarter, it extended to 14 as Leicester looked down and out with no chance of return.

The 4th quarter started with gladiators going on a 4-1 run to lead 68-51, now controlling the game in East Kilbride. With 5 minutes remaining in the quarter, it was a 16-point game – a scoreline that only slightly increased by the final buzzer as Caledonia’s offensive showcase concluded, and Leicester attempted to get themselves back into.

By the end of the game, it was Caledonia Gladiators 87-67 Leicester Riders – a convincing win for the Gladiators going into the last game of the regular season, and a good conclusion to their games at home.

The MVP award for today’s game went to Hannah Robb with an impressive statline of 22 points, 2 assists and 1 steal.

Next up for Chantelle Handy’s side is a faceoff with EuroCup Champions, London Lions in the capital, then focus turns to the Playoffs – with tickets available soon via the FanBase app!