The Otago Goldrush might not have started the weekend the way it intended but rebounded with three consecutive wins and booked a spot in the finals in Porirua next month.
Coach Brent Matehaere was not a happy man after his side's poor shooting display in a 63-51 loss to the Auckland Lady Hawks on Friday night.
He was pleased, though, with the character his side showed to win its remaining round-robin matches.
Suzie Bates (21 points) and Danielle Calnan (20 points) helped the Goldrush end Hutt Valley Porirua's unbeaten run on Saturday and yesterday Otago recorded two more wins, beating the Nelson Sparks 67-50 and the Canterbury Wildcats 58-47.
Otago has qualified second, with six wins from eight games. Waikato claimed pole position, with seven wins from eight games.
''In the end, the loss at the start would not have made any difference, with the way things played out,'' Matehaere said.
''The girls had a long good hard look at themselves after Friday's result and basically sorted it out themselves and showed up to play the next day. I'm really pleased with the turnaround.
''We still have things to work on. We didn't shoot very well but we have time to work on it before the finals in Porirua.''
United States centre Kali Bennett is the competition's second leading rebounder with 13.5 boards a game and has lifted her offensive production, averaging 13.1 points a game.
Dual cricket and basketball international Bates is just outside the top five scorers with 13.8 points a game, and Calnan had a strong tournament.
