Caledonia Gladiators Move Second After Successful December
The Caledonia Gladiators have moved up into second place in the British Basketball League on the back of a successful December that saw the Macklin Motors-supported side score four impressive wins.
The Gladiators went into the final month of the year on the back of a narrow win against Bristol Flyers and made the long trip down to London to take on the table-topping London Lions.
A hard fought game would go down to the wire as the two teams couldn’t be split in normal time, with the Gladiators ultimately coming out on top in overtime to secure a fine 100:94 victory.
The winning streak was extended to four back at the Playsport Arena with a narrow 86:80 victory over Manchester Giants but the run of victories would then come to an end on the trip to Leicester Riders, who came from behind to steal a six point victory in the final quarter after the Gladiators had led throughout.
Two more long away trips followed in the run-up to Christmas, with a narrow win over Surrey Scorchers being followed by an unfortunate reversal against Plymouth in the longest trip of the season – with the home side holding on to take a seven point win despite a spirited second half fightback from the Gladiators after being down by 14 points at half time.
A stunning performance on Boxing Day saw the Gladiators thrash Manchester in the reverse fixture by 101:68 and whilst the final game of the year would end in a home defeat to London as the Lions gained revenge for the result earlier in the month, the only Scottish side in the league would end the year second in the standings and well placed going into 2024.
December Results:
- London Lions (A) – Won 100:94
- Manchester Giants (H) – Won 86:80
- Leicester Riders (A) – Lost 96:90
- Surrey Scorchers (A) – Won 80:72
- Plymouth City Patriots (A) – Lost 87:80
- Manchester Giants (H – Won 101:68
- London Lions (H) – Lost 87:79