Rush Get the Win to Finish Home Season Strong

The Integra Ballarat Rush finished their home season on a high note as they were able to get over the line against the Canberra Capitals Academy on Saturday night at the MARS® MINERDOME, winning 69-58, but also by celebrating the 100^th SEABL game of young and talented local, Sophie Alexander.

The Rush came out of the gates as the offensive aggressor, shooting a remarkable 63% in the opening term to jump out to a nine-point lead heading into the first break. That percentage would drop off considerably in the second quarter, but the defensive pressure from the Rush would persist, holding the Capitals to a meagre 20% shooting from the field. Even with a poor offensive output from the Rush in the second quarter, they would head into halftime with a seven-point lead.

The third quarter saw a slow start from Ballarat and a motivated Canberra team that was able to get the game within three points. Halfway through the third quarter, an offensive rebound by captain Kristy Rinaldi that led to a made jumpshot by Steph Cumming, followed closely by a Nya Mason lay-up put life back into the Rush offence, and they would head into the final term with a comfortable 15-point lead.

The Capitals never gave up, getting within nine points on multiple occasions throughout the fourth quarter, but the Rush never gave them a chance to take the lead away, and would eventually come out on top, 69-58.

Alice Coddington was best on court for the Capitals, recording a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Ellie Junod was able to secure a double-double of her own, with 11 points and 14 rebounds, and Alyce Shearing was a physical presence inside with 13 points and seven rebounds.

Cumming wraps up her fantastic season in front of the home crowd with a double-double of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists, leading all scorers and rebounders. Mason was solid as well, with 12 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Abbey Wehrung produced strong numbers with 10 points and five assists, while Rinaldi returned this weekend after being missing Round 18 due to sickness to chip in nine points and nine rebounds.

The Rush have one last opportunity to get a win as they travel to Geelong to take on the Lady Supercats Saturday night from 6pm. Support your Rush in their last game of the 2014 SEABL season and follow the action live at seabl.com.au/livestats.