The Nuggets ended day two of the National Basketball League’s 3x3 competition with two wins from their three games, finishing second in their pool before today’s playoffs.
The Otago Gold Rush also won two of their three games, bouncing back from a heavy loss on day one to finish third.
A slow start left the Nuggets facing a 15-8 deficit early against Taranaki, before they went on a 13-1 run to claim a 21-16 victory.
They began getting to the hoop and, more importantly, getting stops.
After a Richie Rodger two-pointer brought them to within two, Timmins pulled them ahead with a fadeaway in the post.
From there, the Nuggets took control and Josh Aitcheson closed out the win at the foul line.
A slow start followed in the second game, as Taane Samuel shot well early to give Hawke’s Bay Hawks an 8-1 lead.
However, once again the Nuggets’ defence locked in and Aitcheson and Richie Rodger began hitting shots to reel in the gap.
They held the Hawks to just six more points to win 21-14.
In the final game of the night, they could not overcome their slow start against the Tasman Suns.
They trailed 13-5 at one point, as turnovers and missed shots plagued their game. While they hit back, the comeback came too late and they were pipped 18-16.
The Gold Rush bounced back from a first-up thrashing with a 15-13 win over Waikato.
Its offence took a while to get going, although it slowed down the Wizards to remain in touch.
Zoe Richards showed her quality around the hoop, both in scoring and getting to the line.
Tara Clement came up with a handful of key baskets at 11-11 to open a gap and secure the win.
A loss 21-13 loss to the Capital Swish followed.
The Gold Rush began well as Richards showed her ability around the hoop to take a 5-1 lead.
However, the Swish hit back and, after getting back to 8-8, it went on a 6-0 run as the Gold Rush scoring dried up and it could not recover.
In the late game against the Taranaki Thunder, the Gold Rush cruised to a 20-11 win.
It left it third in the pool
The Southland Sharks beat New Zealand Select 22-13, before losing to the Auckland Huskies 21-15 and then the Franklin Bulls 21-13.
The games resume at noon today, the Gold Rush to play its quarterfinal at 2.16pm and the Nuggets at 2.33pm.
The women’s final is set for 9.54pm, while the men’s will follow at 10.11pm.
