RUEF RELENTLESS

RUEF RELENTLESS AS TOWNSVILLE TOPPLES ADELAIDE

Mikaela Ruef has been a force in the paint to start the season averaging just shy of double double stats through Townsville’s first 6 games, with 62 points and 56 rebounds, and she’ll be dominating the paint brush over the next few days.

“I’ve bought a new house I’m going to paint the walls, so yeah I’m going to do that, that will be really fun really recharging.”

The Fire forward and her teammates have earned some time away from the court after completing a tough 3 game stretch in a week, which included trips to South and Western Australia. A 67-61 home win over Adelaide to tip off round 5 of the WNBL made it a perfect trio of results. Ruef Racked up an incredible 19 boards, 3 blocks and 13 points. Her hard work under the rim typified Townsville’s gutsy effort under fatigue.

“Especially after the travel, we knew that we’re not necessarily going to shoot the best that we have, so we just wanted to be solid defensively. Yeah it was scrappy and it was probably ugly to watch but whatever, it is what it is, we won so it’s all good.”

The hosts were a little leggy to begin but hit the front early in the second quarter having trailed by double digits during the first. A response Lightning coach Nat Hurst knew would come.

“While it was great to have a great start, you never feel safe against a quality team like Townsville.”

Adelaide guard Isobel Borlase believes the defending champions are once again the team to beat, having played them twice already.

“I was looking forward to the challenge I think Townsville are the best team in the competition and the fact they handed it to us last week, I think we turned it around and it was a bit of a grind and I think we let Townsville get on that maybe 8-0 run to start that fourth quarter, and I think that really hurt us.”

Borlase also praised the Orange army’s attendance and enthusiasm, for the midweek 6pm showdown.

“Yeah I’d say Townsville has got a good crowd behind them. I like playing in front of crowds like that. I mean it’s not cheering for us but any big crowd, good atmosphere that we get to play in front of is a good opportunity and yeah it promotes the game.”

The Fire’s next assignment is an away game, against the Capitals in Canberra, on December 10.