From the opening tip, the Gladiators were lifted by a loud and passionate home crowd, whose energy set the tone early and never wavered. Feeding off that support, the Gladiators started with intent, matching the Riders’ physicality and intensity in what quickly became a back-and-forth contest.

Despite the Riders taking a strong lead at the end of the third quarter, the momentum swung in the final quarter to the Gladiators. Each time Leicester threatened to create separation, the Gladiators responded, knocking down big shots, coming up with key defensive stops, and showing real composure under pressure.

The fight from the Gladiators was evident throughout, as they battled for every possession and refused to let the game slip away. Down the stretch, they found another level, making crucial plays to force overtime and keep the home crowd fully engaged.

In the extra period, it remained on a knife edge. With every possession crucial, both teams continued to trade scores, but in the end, the Riders edged it by the narrowest of margins.

It was a cruel finish to a game defined by effort and resilience, but one that highlighted the character of the Gladiators. Backed by their supporters from start to finish, the team delivered a performance full of heart, fight, and togetherness, one that they will look to build on moving onto their final games of a season.