ABBEY Wehrung led an exciting young Ballarat Rush charge on Saturday night, but it was still not enough against Brisbane in the South East Australian Basketball League.
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Lady Spartans boast a wealth of Women's National Basketball League experience and without an ill Steph Cumming Integra Rush lost by 24 points at the Minerdome.
Wehrung continued her stellar form from a night earlier in Bendigo to chalk up 20 points and four assists.
Her scoring matched determined captain Kristy Rinaldi, who played a full 40 minutes against her former team, which is coached by her sister and ex-Rush coach Donna Rinaldi.
Rush coach Peter Cunningham said his team lacked fitness, grunt and organisation compared to the Lady Spartans but did just what he told them - played out the game and give their all.
"Clearly we're not a top-four side...that's where we're at and where the competition's best is at," Cunningham said.
"Our young kids have still got improvement to do but they had good energy and drive to half-time.
"They can get good time here in Ballarat but they still have to earn it.
"It is what it is - we aspire to compete against these teams and there is an opportunity to step up. First, they have to understand just what that step up is."
Rush development player Claire Constable earned her first SEABL minutes, brought on the floor with four minutes to play in the third quarter.
Molly Mathews, handy in Bendigo, and Kasey Burton continued to build their games and, with Clark, were pulled from the floor late in the fourth quarter because they still had a development game to play on the Sunday.