Otago put on an impressive team display to beat the Harbour Breeze 62-55 in its opening game at the Edgar Centre but slumped to a 54-49 loss to the Taranaki Trojans in its evening game.
Harbour had twice dispatched Otago this season and coasted through the two qualifying tournaments unbeaten.
But the Goldrush turned the tables on the defending champion yesterday morning.
While the seven-point win was a confidence-booster for Otago, coach Brent Matehaere warned there was still plenty of basketball to play before Saturday's final, and his caution was borne out by last night's loss.
"It has to fill them [players] with a huge amount of confidence going into the rest of the tournament," Matehaere said, buoyed by the result against Harbour.
He acknowledged it was a delicate balancing act getting the tactics right on the opening day of the three-day tournament.
He was cautious not to press too hard for the win and risk wearing his players out.
"We've got to make sure they've still got legs on Saturday because it is a long tournament. That is the key thing."
American-born forward Casey Lockwood watched the matches from the sideline.
She is struggling with a knee complaint and decided another day's rest was in order.
Tall Ferns triallist Patrice McKenzie was in dominant form and led the scoring for Otago against Harbour with a game-high 20 points and five rebounds.
The athletic 1.85m forward used her speed and agility to cast aside her markers and get into space.
And she was just as deadly at the top of the key as she was under the hoop, drilling mid-range jumpers with consummate ease.
Gutsy guard Samara Gallaher led the rebounding for the home side with six boards, but it was her shooting from the outside which proved more valuable.
She scored 13 points including a clutch two-pointer in the final moments of the third quarter.
Guards Suzie Bates and Janet Main chipped in with nine points apiece.
For Harbour, experienced guard Noni Wharemate slotted 16 points and Jodi Cameron and Chelsea Terei grabbed eight points apiece.
Otago opened the scoring when McKenzie squeezed past her marker and made the easiest of lay-ups.
Moments later Bates made an improbable shot over the defence.
Harbour was unable to get its offence going as well as it would have liked and trailed 13-10 at the break.
Wharemate made some telling touches in the second spell to cut the margin, and a six-point run midway through the third period shifted the momentum towards the visitors.
Jodi Cameron made a lay-up to snatch the lead from Otago.
Turnovers from the home side allowed Harbour to build a five-point buffer, which Gallaher cut to three with an inspiring buzzer-beater.
Otago regained the lead when Main cut to the basket and Bates passed to an unmarked McKenzie, who popped it in.
With 4min remaining, Bates hit a three-pointer to buy her side some breathing space.
Harbour was forced to play catch-up from that point and a flurry of late fouls sealed the win for Otago.
In other matches, the Waikato Wizards beat the New Zealand Force Academy 71-65 in the morning and returned to beat the Taranaki Trojans 69-56.
Harbour recovered from its loss to beat the New Zealand Force Academy 61-51.
