Nuggets, Gold Rush both through to 3x3 playoffs
BASKETBALL
BOTH Otago teams remain alive in their quest for national titles in Invercargill.
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 158 deficit early against Taranaki, before they went on a 131 run to claim a 2116 victory.
They began getting to the hoop and, more importantly, getting stops.
After a Richie Rodger twopointer 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 81 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 2114.
In the final game of the night, they could not overcome their slow start against the Tasman Suns.
They trailed 135 at one point, as turnovers and missed shots plagued their game. While they hit back, the comeback came too late and they were pipped 1816.
The Gold Rush bounced back from a firstup thrashing with a 1513 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 1111 to open a gap and secure the win.
A loss 2113 loss to the Capital Swish followed.
The Gold Rush began well as Richards showed her ability around the hoop to take a 51 lead.
However, the Swish hit back and, after getting back to 88, it went on a 60 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 2011 win. It left it third in the pool
The Southland Sharks beat New Zealand Select 2213, before losing to the Auckland Huskies 2115 and then the Franklin Bulls 2113.
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.