A win and a loss opened Otago's 3x3 campaigns last night.
The Otago Nuggets claimed a 21-12 win over the Manawatu Jets in the National Basketball League's 3x3 men's tournament in Invercargill.
However, the Otago Gold Rush came unstuck 21-5 against a classy Harbour Breeze team in the women's competition.
The Nuggets were among the most impressive teams on opening night.
They took the lead straight away as Sam Timmins asserted his dominance. The side played through him in the post and the big man both showed his ability to score down low and find shooters on the perimeter.
After holding a 9-5 lead, the Jets hit back as Timmins took a break. The Nuggets' scoring dried up and the Jets pulled back to 11-8.
But Timmins returned and Josh Aitcheson went on a mini-run to pull away. He finished through contact and made a free throw, before hitting two consecutive two-pointers to make it 18-11 on the way to a comfortable win.
The Gold Rush struggled against a completely dominant Breeze team.
After trailing 5-1 early, a Tara Clement two-pointer followed by a Zoe Richards post-up pulled the Gold Rush to within one.
But from there it was all Harbour. The Gold Rush was unable to get its offence going and was completely smothered by a Harbour team that cruised to victory.
The star-studded Southland Sharks side snuck by a young Canterbury Rams team 21-17.
Alex Pledger was key inside early as the Sharks held a narrow lead, before a handful of shots from the Rams tied the score at 16-16.
However, the Sharks regained momentum, shutting down the Rams shooters.
The sides play three games each today.
The Nuggets face the Taranaki Mountainairs, Hawke's Bay Hawks and Tasman Suns at 12.51pm, 6.47pm and 9.03pm respectively.
Following each, the Gold Rush play the Waikato Wizards, Capital Swish and Taranaki Thunder at 1.08pm, 7.04pm and 9.20pm.
The Sharks follow the Gold Rush against New Zealand Select, Auckland Huskies and Franklin Bulls at 1.25pm, 7.21pm and 9.37pm.
