Italy — Led by 30-points from Kortnei Johnson, the Italy Gladiators out skilled and overpowered the Lady Venus Bulldogs for a 64-50 win inside the Coliseum. Riding their momentum gained from the Hubbard tournament, Italy’s ladies were a confident bunch and built a lead early and maintained their advantage throughout over the invading Lady Bulldogs from Venus.

With head coach Melissa Fullmer giving the coordinates on where to make their stand against the strangers who arrived from Venus on a yellow oblong carrier with blinking lights. The Lady Gladiators led 11-9 after one and then 28-22 going into the break. Johnson had half of her points by intermission with teammate Taleyia Wilson doing her scoring damage in the first-half to finish with 5-points. Post player Jaclynn Lewis scored 4-points close in. Cory Chance put in her first bucket of the game in the second period as did point guard Tara Wallis.

In the third, Chance led the way with 7-points followed by 6 more points from Johnson. Wallis knocked down a 3-pointer and have in the frame to help Italy gain distance, 48-26. Chance also proved valuable on defense with her force field deflecting shot after shot. Wilson is also an aggressive defensive soldier that is always willing to volunteer for risky missions like diving into a scrum for a loose ball.

Venus did their best to rally back with a 24-point scoring output in the fourth period which including a pair of made 3-pointers. However, the Lady Gladiators managed 16-points to close out the game, 9 of those coming from Johnson, with Lewis and Wallis feeding Johnson the ball every chance they could.

Ryisha Copeland scored a basket in the final minutes as did Lewis. Wallis went 2-of-2 from the line and K’Breona Davis went 1-out of-2 from the stripe to help the Lady Gladiators hold on for a 64-50 win over the Lady Bulldogs who simply ran out of oxygen.

With the win, Italy has won their last 3-out of-4 games going into the holiday break.

Lady Gladiator scoring:

Go Lady Gladiators!