In a matchup that saw the Caledonia Gladiators take on the Nottingham Wildcats in a Women’s British Basketball League (WBBL) game played at The Lagoon in Paisley, Scotland, the Gladiators looked to cement their place in the top four of the Championship table while the Wildcats were fighting to pick up wins near the bottom of the standings.
The game started off with the Gladiators taking a solid lead, while the Wildcats managed to stay in the game, pushing the hosts throughout the first quarter. At the end of the first 10 minutes, Caledonia held a 22-15 lead.
In the second quarter, Miguel Ortega’s side built on their lead, gradually pulling away from the visiting Wildcats. The Gladiators’ offensive plays were executed well and the team managed to create good scoring opportunities. The Wildcats, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm and continued to be held at bay by the home side, backed by an energetic crowd. At the halftime break, the score was 41-30 in favour of the Gladiators.
In the first half, club captain Erin McGarrachan had a great game, adding 12 points in the first 20 minutes. For the Wildcats, Kayla Shaw led the way with 10 points.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point of the game, with the Gladiators building on their lead and establishing a dominant position. The team worked on their offensive and defensive plays, while the Wildcats struggled to find any kind of rhythm. At the end of the third quarter, the Gladiators held a commanding 67-37 lead, thanks in part to several well-worked plays and a three-pointer from Robyn Lewis to conclude the quarter.
In the fourth, the Gladiators further improved their play, bringing in some of their younger players to get some playing time. The Wildcats continued to struggle, as the Gladiators took advantage of their strong position in the game.
Upon the final buzzer, the score was 79-54, in favour of the Gladiators, who improved their record to 11-3 on the season. Téa Adams picked up the Exceed Footwear MVP award on the afternoon, scoring an impressive 16 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out an assist.
The Gladiators’ performance in the game was impressive, with the team showing great teamwork and executing their plays with precision. The Wildcats, on the other hand, struggled throughout the game, unable to match the Gladiators’ intensity and execution.
The win solidified the Gladiators’ push for the top four in the Championship table and they will look to build on their impressive performance in their next game. With the playoffs approaching, the Gladiators will be hoping to continue their strong play and make a deep run in the postseason.
