The game was there to be won.
But in the final moments, the Otago Gold Rush could not quite get it done.
It held a one-point lead heading into the final minute of its National Basketball League semifinal in Auckland on Saturday.
However, the Waikato Wizards were more clinical in closing out a 68-63 win.
Lisa Wallbutton gave the Gold Rush a 63-62 lead with 1min 25sec left on the clock.
But it was unable to score from there.
Kayla Manuirirangi answered to put the Wizards up one.
Olivia O’Neill and Zoe Richards both generated shots but could not finish for the Gold Rush, while Manuirirangi and Matangiroa Flavell hit their free throws to secure the victory.
Richards starred for the Gold Rush, putting up 15 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.
Meanwhile, O’Neill and Bronwyn Kjestrup each delivered strong performances, both delivering eight points and exerting their dominance at different stages.
For Waikato Manuirirangi was the standout with 18 points.
Gold Rush coach Gavin Briggs said the side was disappointed with the loss, although he was proud of the effort.
‘‘We certainly had our opportunities to win the game,’’ he said.
‘‘All credit to Waikato — they hit a couple of big shots, we missed ours and that was the difference really.
‘‘But I’m super proud of the effort and intensity the girls had throughout the game.
‘‘It was just a wee bit of execution down the stretch,’’ he said.
The Gold Rush got stops early, allowing it push the ball and get to the hoop.
It took a 17-4 lead, Kjestrup prominent and attacking the basket.
At that point the stops dried up and so did Otago’s ability to attack in transition.
A Richards three-pointer was all it Gold Rush managed in the first six minutes of the second quarter.
Waikato mounted a 21-3 run, taking a 25-20 lead as the Gold Rush contended with foul trouble.
The Gold Rush hit back as O’Neill twice took the ball to the hoop to score, sparking an 8-0 run.
But Esra McGoldrick finished inside to pull Waikato back to 28-28 at halftime.
From there the Gold Rush found its shooting range, Hayley Gray hitting two three-pointers and Savanna Handevidt adding one early in the third quarter.
They helped the team open another lead at 41-32.
Again Waikato reeled that in and briefly took the lead, before Richards put Otago ahead 49-48 at the break.
There was little in it from that point.
An O’Neill three-pointer gave the Gold Rush a six-point lead midway through the quarter.
It was the largest lead either side took in the third.
The Wizards kept pegging back, the Gold Rush hindering as it balanced foul trouble to Wallbutton, Handevidt and Te Araroa Sopoaga.
Richards put it up 61-58 at the line with four minutes to play, Manuirirangi hitting back straight away.
Turnovers crept into the Gold Rush’s game down the stretch and the Wizards were more clinical in closing it out.
In yesterday’s final the Harbour Breeze beat the Waikato Wizards 70-59.
