RedCity Roar dominate shorthanded USC Rip in QSL Round 5

Australian Opals stars shined as the RedCity Roar hosted the USC Rip but it was the league’s newcomers who dominated both games on their home floor. WATCH THE REPLAYS AND READ OUR WRAP.

Australian Opals stars gave basketball fans a show as they went head-to-head in the Queensland State League clash between the RedCity Roar and University of Sunshine Coast Rip.

RedCity Roar point guard Lauren Mansfield (28 points) and USC Rip guard Maddi Rocci (40 points, 13 rebounds) didn’t disappoint at Cleveland’s Paul Bancroft Centre but it was the Roar who came away with a 90-79 victory.

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Mansfield also added nine rebounds and five assists to her stats as she led RedCity, along with New Zealand Tall Ferns forward Ashleigh Karaitiana (25 points and 16 rebounds).

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Sitting just outside the top six heading into the game, RedCity needed the win over Rip to jump back into a finals spot and will now sit comfortably in the top half of the ladder.

RedCity Roar women's guard and Australian Opals squad member Lauren Mansfield. Picture: Fan Fair

USC, who have been missing several players through injury the past two weeks, will also still sit in the top six despite the loss after the Northside Wizards fell to the Southern Districts Spartans.

USC Rip City and Australian Opals guard Maddi Rocci. Picture: Fan Fair

In the men, RedCity continued its undefeated start to the season against a USC Rip team struggling with three key players missing significant time through injury.

Josh Tueta (foot), Isaih Tueta (toe) and youngster Elias Cato have all missed the past two games for the team from the Sunshine Coast, putting a major dent in any hopes Nathan Arousi’s team had of making finals.

RedCity Roar star guard William McDowell-White. Picture: Fan Fair

However, it would have been hard to stop a rampant Roar team even with their full team as the trio of Harry Froling, William McDowell-White and Verle Williams Jr continued to dominate.

RedCity Roar and Brisbane Bullets big man Harry Froling. Picture: Fan Fair

All of RedCity’s starters finished on double figures in scoring with Froling leading the way, recording a giant double-double with 25 points, 23 rebounds and eight assists while McDowell-White also came away with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Matt Hancock was the leading scorer for the Rip with 17 points while young guard Dane Glover continued his impressive development at the senior level with 10 points of his own.

The Roar remain at the top of the ladder, undefeated after five games, while Rip sit in eighth spot.