Ballarat Rush continues to charge home in the South East Australian Basketball League season, keeping the pressure on fourth-placed Hobart.
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Rush defeated top three opponent Launceston by 16 points, 90-74, at the Minerdome on Sunday, backing up its seven-point win over Frankston on Saturday night.
Rush has now won 10 of its past 12 matches after starting the season 0-9. The equation for finals remains possible, but unlikely. It needs to beat Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence next week and then rely on Hobart losing its final two matches.
Nonetheless, coach David Flint said its stellar back-half of the season would hold it in good stead for next year. While any concerns it would drop-off in the absence of star Joy Burke have been quashed.
“Launceston are a good team, so for us to win our fourth straight game, without Joy (Burke) is huge,” Flint said.
“The way we’re playing as a team is awesome.
“We force a top four team to win again. We still have a slim chance of a top four berth.
“It’s been an up and down season...(but) it’s been nice for us to have found a rhythm.
“I’m just really proud of how well our group has played.”
Ashleigh Spencer dominated the second half to end the game with 35 points and 11 rebounds, Kristy Rinaldi drained 18 points while Flint praised Lydia Brooks for filling the void left by Burke.