Manchester Basketball fell in the Women’s Super League Basketball Playoff Quarter-Final 90-77 to Caledonia Gladiators.

Danni Williams led the team with 19 points and 8 rebounds in a hard fought battle in Scotland. She was backed by 18 from Maura Fitzpatrick, and Georgia Anderson finished with 8 points and 10 assists.

Manchester fell down double digits following a Gladiators run to end the second half. They fought back to take the lead in the fourth quarter, but Caledonia re-found form late on to progress to the Semi-Final.

The SLB Betty Codona Trophy champions were led by 20 points from Kat Tudor.

Manchester fall behind after intensely fought first half

While the visitors trailed 46-37 after the first half of action, that did not tell the full story of what was a closely fought battle in the opening stages. Four points was the biggest lead for either side until 2:42 left in the second period.

The first half featured 12 lead changes as the teams fought for control of the tie. Williams had 11 at the half, finding success through battling her way to the foul line consistently.

A 12-2 Caledonia run near the end of the first half found separation in the scoreline for the first time in the game, and despite Eva Karasaite hitting a Manchester three on the buzzer, they had work to do in the second half to retake the lead.

Manchester fall short of fourth quarter comeback

Manchester got straight to work by chipping into their deficit to start the second half. Anastasia Warren and Fitzpatrick combined for five quick points to set the tone.

Tudor found the response for Caledonia to keep their opponents at arm’s length through much of the third, but a seven point third quarter for Warren kept Manchester in the tie going into the final period.

Williams and Fitzpatrick led the charge back into the lead to start the fourth quarter, both hitting triples to make the score 68-69 in their favour. But the Gladiators found another level in response.

Tea Adams kick started an 8-0 run with a triple to give the hosts a lead they would not surrender the rest of the way. Adams again found the bottom of the bucket with 4:32 remaining, rebuilding Caledonia’s lead to nine.

Williams and Fitzpatrick again had a retort, going for back-to-back buckets and making the difference six points with 3:14 left, however the Gladiators got over the line with six straight free throws to seal the win.