It was the second loss in a row for the Goldrush, after losing 70-64 in New Plymouth last month.
On Saturday, it went down 62-47 to the experienced Harbour side, but will have its chance for revenge next month when Otago hosts the full final.
On Saturday, the Goldrush had a great first quarter and at one stage was up by 15 points, the Harbour side failing to find its shooting range.
But Harbour upped its intensity and the Goldrush shooters went cold.
Goldrush coach Brent Matehaere said the team started well but once the Harbour side started banging bodies and getting more physical, the Goldrush players did not respond.
He said they defended well, but just could not find the basket.
Otago had a 17-3 run to be well ahead going into the second quarter but Harbour came back to close the gap to 36-27 at the break.
Harbour then increased the pressure and Otago failed to find the goal.
In the second, third and fourth quarters, the Goldrush shot just eight from 60, and gradually any hope of a win slipped away.
With five minutes left, the Goldrush missed a three-pointer, which, if it had gone in, would have taken it to within one point of Harbour.
But Harbour pulled away to be convincing winners, scoring the final 12 points of the game.
Patrice McKenzie scored 19 points for the Otago side, while Suzie Bates, just back from the White Ferns cricket tour of England, was also a willing contributor.
Veteran Noni Wharemate scored 22 points for the winner.
Matehaere said the side was not too disheartened.
The players knew they still had the tournament in Dunedin, and were looking forward to plenty of home town support.
