The Otago Gold Rush has finished its WBC opening tournament with a winning record.
In its final two games it chalked up a win and a loss, giving it three wins and two losses for the tournament, extending its overall record to 4-2.
On Friday night it claimed a 63-52 win over the Harbour Breeze, Nicole Ruske leading the way with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The Gold Rush led by as much as 18 before a strong third quarter saw Harbour pull the deficit back to five heading into the final period.
But Aleisha Ruske, along with Nicole and Natalie Visger, all came to the fore down the stretch.
They ensured the Gold Rush held on to claim its third win of the tournament.
It was not able to close the weekend on a high, though.
Having led by 13 late in the third quarter, Otago fell to the Waikato Country Cannons 64-61.
Nicole Ruske was again prominent, scoring 24 points, while Soraya Umaga-Jensen chipped in with 10.
The game remained in the balance for the most part, Otago holding a slim lead before pulling away in the third quarter.
It was unable to make that count, though, as a 19-7 fourth quarter allowed Waikato Country to pull off the comeback.
The result leaves the Gold Rush fifth in the overall WBC standings.
Canterbury leads the way with a perfect 6-0 record and the Waikato Country Cannons are second with 5-1.
The Capital Swish and Taranaki Thunder are both 4-1, while the Waikato Wizards, with a 3-1 record, round out the top six with the Gold Rush.
The Gold Rush next plays on Friday, June 9, against the Capital Swish before backing up against the Taranaki Thunder the next night on a double-header road trip.
