WBBL Championship
B. Braun Sheffield Hatters 76-52 Caledonia Gladiators (15-19, 17-17, 19-9, 25-7)
Hatters – Murphy/Gayle 20, Fairley 16; Gladiators – Adams 19, McGarrachan 11, Handy 10
The B. Braun Sheffield Hatters overcame a difficult start to beat the Caledonia Gladiators at the All Saints Sports Centre on Friday.
The aggressive and assured Karly Murphy led the way for Sheffield, recording a double-double of 13 rebounds and 20 points, shooting 52% from the floor. Elsewhere, Georgia Gayle also contributed 20 points, but also added seven rebounds and four assists.
It was a battle at the top end of the WBBL Championship table, as the fourth-place Hatters hosted the Gladiators, who came into the game in third position, with a game in hand.
Both teams went blow for blow during the first two quarters, with the Gladiators entering half-time ahead. The shot selection of Miguel Ángel Ortega Marco’s team gave them the edge heading into the break, as well as the relentless effort from Tea Adams under the basket.
The Hatters simply refused to back down, however, responding with timely shot making and aggressive post play. By the time the second half rolled around, their effort simply reached a new level.
Vanessa Ellis’ squad came out fighting, taking the lead within the first three minutes of the second half, which they would never surrender.
The tenacity of their defensive effort increased significantly, as they forced the Gladiators into a series of uncharacteristic mistakes and limited them to just nine points in the third period.
On offence they were a different team, with improved off-ball movement, which spread the floor and opened the lane for scorers.
Offensive boards were differentiating factor in this contest; the Hatters dominated the glass, outmatching the Gladiators 18-5 in that category.
With the win, Sheffield jump over their opponents into third place, level on points with the London Lions, having played three more games.
The Gladiators won’t have to wait long for their shot at revenge. The teams are set to face off again in two days time, in an exciting Easter Sunday match-up at Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley.