ITALY – After Italy’s Diamond Rodgers #4 makes a free throw, the visiting Milford Bulldogs were leading 6-4 with 2:48 left in the first period. Later, a 3-pointer by Milford gives the Bulldogs a 12-4 lead at the 1:35 mark. Italy’s Jasenio Anderson #11 finds Rodgers inside for a bucket to make the score 12-6, 1:20 left. After earning a shooting foul, Milford hits 2 free throws to go up 14-6. Italy’s J. Anderson answers with 2 free throws of his own and the score is 14-8. Milford’s #13 drills a 3-pointer with :36 on the clock giving the Bulldogs a 17-8 advantage.
Just before the period ended, J. Anderson passes to Dontavius Clemons #5 down low for 2-points. However, Milford has the early lead heading into the 2nd period 17-10.

The Bulldogs get started in the 2nd period putting in 2 free throws to increase their lead 19-10. The Gladiators respond with a layup off the fast break making the score 19-12. J. Anderson nails a 3-pointer for Italy, the score is now 19-15 at the 7:01 mark. Relentlessly, Milford fired back taking a 23-15 lead at the 5:40 mark. Italy’s D. Clemons gets fouled shooting after grabbing a rebound. The shot doesn’t drop in but Clemons hits both free throws keeping the Gladiators close 23-17. Isaac gets fouled and hits 1 out of 2 free shots for the Gladiators making the score 23-18. Italy’s J. Anderson intercepts a Milford pass and converts the steal into points to make the score 23-20. It’s all Bulldogs the rest of the period as Milford takes a shocking 32-20 lead into the break over the, usually high scoring, Gladiators.

Fouls and free throw attempts kept the first half a low scoring affair as the trend continues at the beginning of the second half. Milford still manages to score the first 6-points in the 3rd period threatening to route the Gladiators by taking a 38-20 lead. After Italy makes 1 free throw, D. Clemons finally gets the Gladiators rolling drawing another shooting foul. D. Clemons puts in both attempts and the score is 38-23. D. Clemons would add 1 more free throw making it 38-24. The Gladiators add another basket followed by two Milford free shots and the score is now 40-26. Isaac then snags an offensive board and goes back up with it, the score is now 40-28. Italy’s D. Clemons then drives and scores for the Gladiators making it 40-30. Milford finally gets another bucket to go up 42-30.

However, Italy’s Colton Campbell #13 regrabs the momentum for Italy swishing a 3-pointer, the score is 42-33. Milford tried to rely on 3-point shots to rebuild their lead but the Bulldogs’ shooters went cold. Italy’s D. Clemons scores again and J. Anderson adds back-to-back layups to propell Italy back into the thick-of-things 42-39 with 1:06 left in the 3rd period. Isaac hits a jumper with :50 showing to pull Italy within 1-point of the Bulldogs, 42-41. Milford’s #21 gives the Bulldogs temporary relief by scoring before the end of the period. Milford’s lead is 44-41 going into the final period but Italy has taken the momentum.

At the 7:37 mark in the 4th period, Italy’s J. Anderson drives, scores and draws the and-1. J. Anderson hits the free shot completing the 3-point play to tie the game 44-44. Milford answers and it’s 46-44. Italy ties the contest 46-46. The Gladiators finally take the lead 48-46 at the 5:35 mark but Milford quickly ties the score again with 5:09 on the clock. Italy’s J. Anderson connects on a 3-pointer to give the Gladiators a 51-48 edge with 4:43 showing.

At the 3:57 mark, Milford’s #13 gets fouled while making a basket. The free shot goes in as well tieing the game once again 51-51. Unfotunately for the Bulldogs, the Gladiators score the next 10 points, taking a 61-51 lead, after Moore puts in 2 free throw shots with 1:06 remaining. Milford finally put points on the board with :30 left. However, Italy’s Isaac capped off the Gladiator comeback win 63-53 with a wide open layup after a Bulldog turnover.

Italy scoring:

Writer’s picks:
Top Performance – #11 Jasenio Anderson
Impact Performance – #10 John Isaac
6th Man – Oscar Gonzalez (Defensive hustle)

Milford scoring: