Round 10 Wrap
Mikaela Ruef reminded us of she’s more than just an elite rebounder by dropping an avalanche of buckets in round 10. The forward was averaging just under 9 points per game before stunning Sydney with a dominant double double. Ruef finished with 26 points, her best haul since joining the JCU Fire, along with 12 boards and 4 assists, in a standout display
Expecting their sharp shooting visitors to try and fill it up from deep, the Flames aimed to limit damage from the perimeter but they were made to pay inside . Guard Kiera Rowe praised Townsville’s tactics, to feed the bigs under the hoop.
“Coming into the game, one of our main focuses was taking away their 3 point shot because they’ve got a lot of good 3 point shooters but then they hurt us in the paint like… A LOT! You know they kept coming at us and it was tough. We tried to adjust late in the game but by that stage it was too late.”
A 92-77 triumph secured back to back away victories and improved the team’s road record to 3 wins and 2 defeats. JCU Fire General Manager Sam Pascoe’s pleased the players are embracing what can be tough travel at times.
“I think it good for them to get on the road, I think the road is where you really develop that team comradery because you’re with each other all the time, you have team dinners every night. Not that our girls aren’t already very close, they get on extremely well together, they’re a very tight group.”
Action returns to the Fire Pit on Friday night for the club’s first home game of 2023. Pascoe is anticipating another bumper crowd after a fans filled the Entertainment Centre on New Year’s Eve.
“Yeah we’re so excited to be back on our own floor, we’ve had tremendous attendances this season, obviously topped by that huge crowd against Melbourne. Our supporters have been superb and I’m confident we’ll see another great turn out when we host Adelaide.”
Tickets to Townsville’s round 11 clash with the Lightning are available to purchase, it’s one of 5 scheduled home games remaining, though that number looks likely to increase with our women on track to make they play-offs. The JCU Fire is fourth in the ladder.