It claimed a 70-37 win over the Rotorua Lady Vols to open its campaign at the Women’s Basketball Championship first tournament in Auckland.
After trailing 15-11 at the end of the first quarter, it held Rotorua to single-digit scoring in each of the remaining quarters.
Jeanie Pattison scored seven early points to get the Gold Rush off to a strong start, before it lost its lead when she came out of the game due to foul trouble.
The scores remained close throughout the early second quarter, before the Gold Rush pulled away to lead 36-23 at halftime.
Forward Grace Love proved key in evening up the scores, before Nicole Ruske contributed six quick points as the Gold Rush opened the gap.
From that point, there was only one team in it.
Love led the scoring with 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
Captain Natalie Smith had 12 points, while Bronwyn Kjestrup and Ruske both added 10.
Pareunuora Pene top-scored for Rotorua with 10 points.In its second game, Kjestrup led the way with 12 points as the Gold Rush thrashed the Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix 76-21 last night.
