Caledonia Gladiators Retain Top Three Slot
The Caledonia Gladiators remain well placed inside the top three of the British Basketball League despite a mixed month on the court for the Macklin Motors-backed side.
Having enjoyed a run to the semi-finals of the BBL Trophy, the Gladiators headed into February sitting second in the table behind the dominant London Lions, and kicked off the month with a home tie against the Bristol Flyers at the Playsport Arena.
The visitors had the best of the early play to take a first quarter lead, but an eleven point swing in the second saw the Gladiators head into half-time leading by five points.
A solid third quarter saw that lead extended still further and meant there was some breathing space going into the fourth, where Bristol were able to reduce the gap between the two teams before the Gladiators emerged with a 78:72 victory.
Next up, the Gladiators hit the road for the closest thing to a derby – with a trip across the border to face the Newcastle Eagles.
Eager to try and make amends for a loss in the reverse fixture, the Gladiators instead found themselves five points down after a tight opening half but then took the third by two points to reduce the deficit heading into the final stages.
A hard-fought game would ultimately go to the way of the Eagles when they stretched clear to take the win by 105:93.
Two days later, the Leicester Riders made it back-to-back defeats for the Gladiators with a comeback win in Scotland but a depleted side then overcame the odds to take the points against Surrey Scorchers despite being without top scorer Patrick Whelen and top assist maker Ian DuBose through injury.
Strong performances in both the first and third quarters would prove to be key as the home side emerged from the game with a nine point advantage and a vital victory.
Although surprise package Cheshire Phoenix then defeated the Gladiators in a narrow game at the end of the month, the Scottish side remain third in the points with a 15-11 record ahead of a busy March – featuring no fewer than six matches.
February Results:
- Bristol Flyers (H) – Won 78:72
- Newcastle Eagles (A) – Lost 105:93
- Leicester Riders (H) – Lost 93:97
- Surrey Scorchers (H) – Won 84:75
- Cheshire Phoenix (A) – Lost 100:93
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