Gladiators go big game hunting against the Dallas Life Lions

Image: Italy overcame Dallas Life’s challenges to prove who is king — The Gladiators avenged last season’s overtime loss to the Dallas Life Lions in dramatic fashion. After leading most of the way, the Lions tied the game late, 60-60, with 0:45 left. Italy’s Ryan Ashcraft made it to the line with 0:02 remaining and hit both pressure free throws to seal the deal for the Gladiators 62-60 in yet another Italy Coliseum classic.

Italy overcame Dallas Life’s challenges to prove who is king — The Gladiators avenged last season’s overtime loss to the Dallas Life Lions in dramatic fashion. After leading most of the way, the Lions tied the game late, 60-60, with 0:45 left. Italy’s Ryan Ashcraft made it to the line with 0:02 remaining and hit both pressure free throws to seal the deal for the Gladiators 62-60 in yet another Italy Coliseum classic. (Barry Byers)

Image: Holden hits a jumper — Despite being in foul trouble early, Jase Holden(4) managed 15-points in the Italy JV game against Dallas Life.

Holden hits a jumper — Despite being in foul trouble early, Jase Holden(4) managed 15-points in the Italy JV game against Dallas Life. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jackson steps up — Kyle Jackson(50) put in 10-points of his own to help the Italy JV’s cause.

Jackson steps up — Kyle Jackson(50) put in 10-points of his own to help the Italy JV’s cause. (Barry Byers)

Image: Saxon shoots at Lions — Ethan Saxon gets smothered as he takes aim against the Lions.

Saxon shoots at Lions — Ethan Saxon gets smothered as he takes aim against the Lions. (Barry Byers)

Image: King of the paint — JV Gladiator Larry Mayberry(13) banks in 2 of his 16-points against Dallas Life.

King of the paint — JV Gladiator Larry Mayberry(13) banks in 2 of his 16-points against Dallas Life. (Barry Byers)

Image: Souder from the stripe — Italy JV Gladiator Brandon Souder(11) hits one of his 3-points to take the life out of the Lions.

Souder from the stripe — Italy JV Gladiator Brandon Souder(11) hits one of his 3-points to take the life out of the Lions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Larry dominated — Mayberry was an animal on the boards as he overwhelmed the Lions inside during the Italy JV game.

Larry dominated — Mayberry was an animal on the boards as he overwhelmed the Lions inside during the Italy JV game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Frazier goes up — Corrin Frazier(20) put in 5-points Tuesday night against Dallas Life.

Frazier goes up — Corrin Frazier(20) put in 5-points Tuesday night against Dallas Life. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase from distance — You can’t stop him. You can try, but Italy JV Gladiator Jase Holden(4) proves you can’t keep a good shooter off the scoreboard.

Jase from distance — You can’t stop him. You can try, but Italy JV Gladiator Jase Holden(4) proves you can’t keep a good shooter off the scoreboard. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle’s baseline attempt — Jackson takes a shot from the baseline before the Lions can react.

Kyle’s baseline attempt — Jackson takes a shot from the baseline before the Lions can react. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bubba passes to Corrin — It’s a bird! It’s a plane! Oh, it’s Bubba Itson(5) dropping a dime to teammate Corrin Frazier(20).

Bubba passes to Corrin — It’s a bird! It’s a plane! Oh, it’s Bubba Itson(5) dropping a dime to teammate Corrin Frazier(20). (Barry Byers)

Image: Ta’Cory impresses — Italy JV Gladiator Ta’Cory Green(33) knocks down two free throws against Dallas Life.

Ta’Cory impresses — Italy JV Gladiator Ta’Cory Green(33) knocks down two free throws against Dallas Life. (Barry Byers)

Image: John out leaps a Lion — Italy’s John Isaac(10) shoots over a Dallas Life defender in the Varsity game.

John out leaps a Lion — Italy’s John Isaac(10) shoots over a Dallas Life defender in the Varsity game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jasenio’s on the mark — Jasenio Anderson(11) puts in two of his game high 18-points from the free throw line. Anderson made 6-of-6 from the stripe against Dallas Life.

Jasenio’s on the mark — Jasenio Anderson(11) puts in two of his game high 18-points from the free throw line. Anderson made 6-of-6 from the stripe against Dallas Life. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colton scopes one — Long-range sniper, Colton Campbell(5), knocks down 2 of his 9-points over a pack of Lions. Campbell also made 4-of-4 from the free throw line.

Colton scopes one — Long-range sniper, Colton Campbell(5), knocks down 2 of his 9-points over a pack of Lions. Campbell also made 4-of-4 from the free throw line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lions foul the “Beast” — Jasenio Anderson(11) gets mauled by a Dallas Life Lion on his way to the basket.

Lions foul the “Beast” — Jasenio Anderson(11) gets mauled by a Dallas Life Lion on his way to the basket. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sephus gets bumped — Deandre Sephus(20) gets bumped on on his way to the rim but still managed 4-points in the close contest.

Sephus gets bumped — Deandre Sephus(20) gets bumped on on his way to the rim but still managed 4-points in the close contest. (Barry Byers)

Image: Desmond drops one in — Senior Desmond Anderson(15) goes to the line against Dallas Life. Desmond accounted for 2-points as Italy held on to win by two, 62-60.

Desmond drops one in — Senior Desmond Anderson(15) goes to the line against Dallas Life. Desmond accounted for 2-points as Italy held on to win by two, 62-60. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheering Courtside — Don’t they look sweet and innocent just sitting there minding their own business.

Cheering Courtside — Don’t they look sweet and innocent just sitting there minding their own business. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jasenio scores — The “Beast” is loose! Jasenio Anderson(11) picked apart the Lion defense late in the game.

Jasenio scores — The “Beast” is loose! Jasenio Anderson(11) picked apart the Lion defense late in the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: It’s lonely at the top — Gladiator John Isaac(10) plays on another level. How’s the weather up there, John?

It’s lonely at the top — Gladiator John Isaac(10) plays on another level. How’s the weather up there, John? (Barry Byers)

Image: Beast Wars — Jasenio Anderson(11) plays Lion tamer against the Dallas Life Lions, under the big dome top.

Beast Wars — Jasenio Anderson(11) plays Lion tamer against the Dallas Life Lions, under the big dome top. (Barry Byers)

Image: Heath hangs in there — Heath Clemons(2) flies in for two of his 12-points.

Heath hangs in there — Heath Clemons(2) flies in for two of his 12-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy wants it more — When it came down to it, this picture says it all as Italy defeated the Dallas Life Lions 62-60.

Italy wants it more — When it came down to it, this picture says it all as Italy defeated the Dallas Life Lions 62-60. (Barry Byers)

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