The Otago Gold Rush beat Tauranga City Coasters 84-77 to claim seventh place at the Women's Basketball Championship in Christchurch on Saturday.
It was disappointing tournament for the 2015 champion but it was drawn in a tough section that featured eventual champion the Canterbury Wildcats and beaten finalist the Taranaki Thunder.
Nicole Ruske and Zoe Richards top-scored with 14 points apiece, while Danielle Frost grabbed nine rebounds and scored 12 points.
Canterbury backed up its win in 2016 with a dominant second-half performance to defeat the plucky Taranaki 57-43 in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Cowles Stadium.
The win was built around floor general Terina Wanoa (13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists) and MVP Ashley Gayle.
The forward tussle between Taranaki's Jess Tuki and Lyndi Laborn and Canterbury's Darcy Rose and Gayle was a feature of the game.
Wildcats Coach Lori McDaniel, voted WBC coach of the year for a second time, paid tribute to the efforts of her team.
''We are a very deep team and I think, ultimately, that strength in depth was probably the telling factor in our success.
''Taranaki were worthy finalists and extremely well coached by Angelo Hill.''
-In the men's A grade, the St Kilda Saints beat the Mid City Magic Lions 100-68, the City Rise Bombers beat the Andy Bay Falcons 85-58 and the Mid City Magic beat Varsity 102-79.
