Game Report: Cheshire Phoenix 82-92 Caledonia Gladiators

The Caledonia Gladiators held off a valiant fightback by the Cheshire Phoenix to come away with a hard-fought 82-92 win away from home in the British Basketball League.

With this win, the Gladiators move up to fifth with an 8-5 record, while the Phoenix fall to 10-5.

Starting Five:

Cheshire Phoenix starting five: Laquincy Rideau, Maceo Jack, Aaryn Rai, Ethan Chargois, Skyler White

Caledonia Gladiators starting five: Ian Dubose, Princeton Onwas, Patrick Whelan, Lukas Palyza, Fahro Alihodzic

First Half:

The game started with Cheshire rushing to a quick 5-0 lead, before being pegged back by Caledonia who went on their own 5-0 run to equalise.

Five points was the highest lead either of the two teams managed to get in the first quarter, as they proceeded to exchange baskets and the lead throughout.

With the first period drawing to a close the two teams exchanged three pointers, combining for a total of over 50 points, with the Gladiators having a slight advantage 25-29.

The start of the second quarter saw the Phoenix go on a 7-0 run to retake the lead (32-31), after Laquincy Rideau laid the ball in following a steal by Cam Christon.

The visitors answered with their very own 7-0 run (32-38), finished off by Princeton Onwas’ layup.

Two free throws by David Ulph made it a one-point game (37-38) with five minutes left until the half.

That’s when the Gladiators went on a 10-0 run and got their first double-digit lead of the game (37-48), after Patrick Whelan finished with a layup.

The difference stayed at 11 going into the break with Caledonia up 39-50.

Second Half:

Despite a quick 5-0 run by Cheshire to start the second half, Caledonia managed to keep their opponents at bay and increased their lead to a game-high 14 points (46-60) when Lukas Palyza drained the triple.

The Czech forward then connected from downtown once again a couple of possessions later, giving his side an even larger lead (51-68), with just under five left to play in the third.

The home side hadn’t given up however and with an 11-5 run to close out the period managed to make it an 11-point game going into the final 10 minutes (62-73), after Ej Stephens drained the long-range jumper.

The momentum was firmly on Cheshire’s side and they started the fourth quarter with a 9-2 run, making it a four-point game (71-75) with just under seven minutes left to play.

That deficit was reduced even further when Aaryn Rai scored a layup with four minutes on the clock, making it a one-point affair (75-76).

Two minutes later and with the difference at just three points, Skyler White hit an incredible step-back triple off one leg with the help of the backboard, to tie the game at 78 apiece.

The Gladiators showed tremendous character and didn’t allow their heads to drop despite losing a 17-point lead.

Onwas hit a huge three from the corner on the very next play, giving his team a three-point lead (78-81).

This gave the visitors the momentum they needed to go on a 11-4 run to close out the game and come away with a massive victory 82-92.

Player of the Game:

Tonight’s Player of the Game was Lukas Palyza. The Caledonia Gladiators forward led all scorers with 23 points, while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out one assist.