TOP FORM: Mitch Rueter scored 42 points for the Mustangs in a season best game. Picture by MARINA NEIL 040712MN533
A season’s best performance from Mitch Rueter gave the Maitland Mustangs the edge in their 16-point win over the Parramatta Wildcats.
Rueter finished the match with 42 points next to his name with an imposing 70 per cent shot percentage.
“It felt good,” he said.
“It felt as good as I have played here in Australia.
“I don’t remember missing a shot in the second half.”
The return of Kieran Gleeson took pressure off Rueter and King Cannon, who scored 19 points for the game, allowing them to play their regular positions.
Coach Luke Boyle said the Mustangs were in front for most of the match and lauded the work of young players Nick Bowe, Ash Sopher and Gerry Bray.
“We’ve been having them help us out over the last couple of weeks,” Boyle said.
“It looks as though we’ll have a fair few guys retire at the end of this year so it’s good to see them doing so well.”
The Mustangs were missing Matt Dick, which meant that Boyle had to play more minutes than he would have liked.
“We had Tim Mallon there to help us from the bench,” Boyle said.
The win propels the Mustangs into sixth place and wins from their last two games will ensure an all-important top six finish.
The Mustangs will take the home-court advantage into both games, the first will be against Manly Warringah, who beat the Mustangs away from home last week.
Their last match in the regular season is to be against the Bankstown Bruins – the team they have just deposed from sixth place.
