Natalie Taylor was in great shooting form against Albury-Wodonga. Photo: Peter Merkesteyn, The Border Mail.
BALLARAT Rush guard Cass Hobbs is waiting on the results of MRI scans today after twisting her knee in the dying stages of a 36-point win on the road against Albury-Wodonga on Saturday night.
Hobbs had an x-ray yesterday when the team arrived back in Ballarat, but the full extent of her injury will not be known until after the scans.
The injury dampens an emphatic victory for Auslec Rush.
In a big second-half, Rush put a stranglehold on the match and restricted the Lady Bandits to a combined 10 points.
Scores had been level, 20-all, at quarter-time after Rush made a strong start and the Lady Bandits clawed back.
Nat Taylor and captain Kristy Rinaldi found range in the perimetre, shooting at will, to help build a 13-point buffer by half-time.
Play swung up and down the court in what became a frenetic third quarter.
Rush coach Donna Rinaldi was pleased how her team ran at the Lady Bandits to claim handy transition baskets.
But defence was the key.
“We had relentless defence,” Rinaldi said.
“Everyone helped everyone.
“We didn’t give up in our pressure through the whole four quarters.
“This something we’ve been working on.”
Taylor was back in dominant form, securing a double-double with 24 points (including four three-pointers) and 11 rebounds.
Co-captains Kate Willey and Rinaldi were also effective scorers with 16 points apiece.
Rush executed its game plan and contained dangerous Lady Bandits’ point-guard Alex Duck to a quiet night.
They forced key rival tall Nya Mason into foul trouble early.
Mason managed eight points, six rebounds.
Rush youngsters Sophie Alexander and Olivia Jones each produced solid minutes in returns from injury (Alexander foot, Jones ankle).
Coach Rinaldi said Albury-Wodonga was a tough road trip, with a vocal crowd, and she was pleased her team remained focused to “blow it out” and come away with a resounding win.
Victory takes Rush to four wins from seven matches this season.
Rush returns home to host fellow south conference rival Hobart at the Minerdome next Saturday night.
