Gold Rush fades in fourth quarter to lose again

BASKETBALL

AGAIN it battled hard.

But again it slipped away in the fourth quarter.

The Otago Gold Rush fell 6355 to the Waikato Wizards, dropping its second game of the National Basketball League in Auckland last night.

It led 3731 at halftime, following a brilliant second quarter in which it poured in 27 points.

However, it managed just 18 points after halftime.

The pace dropped from the Gold Rush, perhaps a sign of playing the final quarters on the second night of a doubleheader.

The Waikato defence locked in, while it came up with several big plays on offence.

It opened an eightpoint gap midway through the fourth quarter and, while the Gold Rush hung around, it could not haul it in.

Zoe Richards led the way for the Gold Rush with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Lisa Wallbutton’s nine points, seven rebounds and four assists came in an efficient 19 minutes.

Star duo Kayla Manuirirangi and Esra McGoldrick, both in their first games for Waikato, had 14 and 10 points respectively.

For the second night in a row, it was defence that was key early for the Gold Rush.

After Alyssa Hirawani hit a threepointer on the first play of the game, Waikato took another six minutes to score.

At the other end, Te Araroa Sopoaga’s penetration was critical as Otago took a 63 lead.

However, it was unable to take full advantage of its defensive start and the Wizards took a 1310 lead to quartertime.

A big second quarter followed for the Gold Rush. It started on an 80 run as two Wallbutton baskets ignited the scoring. Shortly after, a pair of Tara Clement baskets was followed by a Richards fourpoint play, taking it to 2924.

A shaky period followed, before Otago finished the quarter with its best period. Richards hit her second threepointer, before Wallbutton completed a threepoint play to give Otago a 3731 lead at halftime.

But the Gold Rush managed just five thirdquarter points.

Penetration was hard to come by with Sopoaga in foul trouble and the team’s pace slowing.

It struggled to create good looks as Waikato hauled in the deficit, before McGoldrick gave it the lead at 4241.

The Gold Rush kept in touch at 4642, a gap Wallbutton reduced to two with a jump to start the fourth quarter.

Another run from Waikato followed though and, when a Matangiroa Flavell threepointer made it 5648, it was a gap Otago could not haul in.

Savanna Handevidt scored twice inside, before Richards pulled it back to 5955.

But that was as close as it got, Waikato executing better down the stretch to secure the win.

The Gold Rush now has three days off, before playing the Capital Swish and Auckland Dream on Saturday and Sunday respectively.