Otago Goldrush has blown a 13-point fourth-quarter lead to go down to competition leaders Canterbury Wildcats 59-57 in Dunedin.
The home side led 55-42 midway through the final quarter of its Women's Basketball Championship match at the Edgar Centre yesterday and looked to have handed the visitors their first loss of the season.
But some sloppy turnovers and a lack of composure allowed the Wildcats to go on a 17-2 scoring run and deny Goldrush top spot heading into next month's playoffs in Porirua.
Goldrush led 20-14 after the first quarter and extended that lead to 34-28 at halftime on the back of three-pointers from Nicole and Aleisha Ruske and Danielle Frost.
The long-range shots continued early in the second spell, Soraya Umaga-Jensen nailing consecutive three-pointers to push the lead out to 40-28.
The home side maintained a 12-point lead (50-38) heading into the final quarter, but that was when the rot set in.
"We got really untidy down the stretch,'' Goldrush coach Todd Marshall said.
"We lost a lot of composure and made some turnovers.
"They hit the shots that mattered and we couldn't.''
A Fran Edmonson field goal tied the scores 57-57 with just over a minute to play and both sides had their chances to win the match.
Goldrush won some crucial turnovers but ultimately it was a foul on Wildcats player Terai Sadler under the home side's hoop with three seconds to go which gave the visitors the chance to seal the deal.
Sadler calmly slotted the two free throws and a late three-point attempt from Umaga-Jensen, who had a strong game, agonisingly bounced in and out out of the hoop.
Goldrush fought valiantly against the height of Wildcats players Ashley Gayle and Sally Farmer, who was injected into the game early in the second quarter.
Gayle went off with what appeared to be a right leg injury early in the second half.
She initially appeared to be in serious trouble but was able to lift herself on to a stretcher.
Marshall said the loss would be felt by the team but would not dent its confidence.
"That's a tough team [to play against].
"We did the same to them last time [when Goldrush came from behind to win a friendly 72-70].
"We're two teams that like to battle for the ball . . . it is what it is.
"We lost our way down the stretch but we showed that every time we play this team we've got a chance of beating them.''
The playoffs series will be held from May 12 to 14.
