The Ruske sisters combined for 36 points to help Otago overcome the home team and reach the final of the under-23 championships in Tauranga yesterday.
Aleisha Ruske hit four three-pointers in a 21-point haul to steer Otago to a 65-55 win against Tauranga in the opening semifinal.
Her younger sister Nicole Ruske also had a big game with 15 points and nine rebounds.
Jeanie Pattison produced a solid performance with eight points and eight rebounds, and Olivia O’Neill passed well with four assists.
Brittany Richards also made some key buckets and finished with 11 points.
Her twin sister Zoe broke her ankle in the 87-61 win against Waitakere West on Thursday afternoon and will miss the remainder of the tournament.
Otago will play Waikato in the final today, after Waikato beat Harbour 69-65 in the other semifinal.
Otago coach Natalie Visger said her side did not have the semifinal all its own way.
It made a sluggish start and trailed 20-10 at the first break.
It also ran into some foul trouble early. Centre Libby van Harselaar was the main offender.
Otago got back into the fixture with some tenacious defence and by halftime had closed the gap to one point.
It wrested control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring its opponent 16-12, and extended its advantage in the final period for a reasonably comfortable victory.
