Dominant Defensive Display Against Adelaide

On the road and on a mission, enthusiasm and eagerness to get stops was the catalyst for Townsville’s terrific 23 point pint win over Adelaide.

The visitors produced the best defensive display of the season so far by any side, setting a tall order for the remaining teams to try and better it. Coach Shannon Seebohm was thrilled by his players efforts and execution out of possession.

“Our focus in the game was purely defensive and I thought if we could hold them to somewhere in the sixties we’d have a good chance. So to hold them to 51 points, especially with some of the talent they have and the pace they play at, yeah I was really really pleased with that.”

The Fire turned determined defence into immediate offence on several occasions and that helped eased pressure at the other end of the court, according to forward Mikaela Ruef.

“Our offence wasn’t great but getting them stops defensively we were able to get out and run a little bit and get some easy stuff in transition which really helped us spread the lead.”

Ruef delivered a double double in an inspiring all round display. She collected 13 rebounds, dropped 10 points, produced 6 assists and managed 3 steals.

“I try to do what our team needs and usually that’s rebounding I like to think that I’m a decent passer so I was doing that and then my shots were falling but Shannon says that’s a bonus so it’s other stuff that I do really well and then if I’m scoring that’s always good.”

 Alice Kunek was Townsville’s top scorer for the second game running, with 19 points. Next up is Perth in the West on Saturday.

 You can catch the action on the 9NOW App. Tip off is at 8.30pm Queensland time.