Late Wildcats Surge Not Enough

5 May 2013, Cowles Stadium

Recap written by Piet Van Hasselt

Photo courtesy Maree Taylor (BBNZ)

The Otago Gold Rush (6-2) grabbed second place on the WBC table at the completion of the round robin with a comprehensive win over the home town Canterbury Wildcats (2-6), 58-47. Another 200+ strong crowd gathered at the Cowles Cauldron, greatly appreciating the return of top-flight women's basketball to the city after an eight year absence. The match was effectively a dead rubber, with a top-six qualifying spot not possible for Canterbury as a result of earlier losses and results from other teams over the round robin.

Otago's 1.95m American Centre Kali Bennett (Arizona State University) was dominant with 16 points, 19 rebounds, five blocks, and four steals. The Gold Rush led by as many as 17 points, but Canterbury showed some guts and determination to cut the lead to six in the fourth quarter. Double International Suzie Bates slammed the door shut on any comeback, taking control of the game down the stretch.

Canterbury had a lacklustre start, staring at a 12-2 deficit after seven minutes of play. Wildcats back-up playmaker Connie Dick pushed the ball hard to give them some momentum, but the offence stalled with the players looking tired after two close losses yesterday. Coach Phil Burns went to youngster Laken Wairau, who came up with the goods scoring seven first half points off the bench.

Bennett was everywhere in the second quarter, amassing a double-double only 15 minutes into the contest as Otago led at the half, 30-16. Canterbury's intensity improved markedly in the third quarter, with Rosanna Katene and Sonja Akkerman performing some fine blue collar work. Turnovers crept into the Wildcats’ game, and they couldn't trim the deficit, with Otago up at the end of the quarter, 42-26. Cece Zambrini poured in all 12 of her points tally in the fourth quarter, including two three pointers as the Wildcats staged a mini comeback much the delight of their fans. Bates however, was able to seal the victory with an open court steal and lay-in with two minutes to play.

Wildcats forward Tessa Boagni finished with seven points, 10 rebounds and four assists, as she found her groove in the third quarter. Her sealing, timing and patience in the post has been a real bright spot for the Wildcats over the course of the weekend, and she is destined for higher honours in the future, which will continue her rich family lineage in the game. Point guard Shea Crotty once again put her body on the line and slotted two three-pointers but the difference was too much to make up. The weekend proved to be somewhat of a coming of age for the Captain, who shot the three at an impressive near 45% clip, and commanded the offence despite constant pressure from the opposition after missing the first weekend tournament due to injury.

Otago forward Danielle Calnan proved the 'x factor' off the bench with 12 points and five boards ,much to the delight of Coach Brent Matehaere who had a Cheshire Cat grin for most of the contest.

The Wildcats were without forward Lori McDaniel for the match who injured her collar bone in the Auckland match last night. McDaniel was a late addition to the team for the second weekend tournament after not playing in Rotorua, and added some veteran experience to the Wildcats, smartly drawing plenty of fouls and rebounding hard. Her injury added to their woes with Pip Connell who went down with a badly sprained ankle in the first quarter of the Friday night encounter, and was sidelined to the bench for the remainder of the tournament.

Despite not qualifying for the top-six championship finals series the Wildcats will head to Porirua for the finals over 6-8 June, participating in a bottom-four plate contest. Canterbury (2-6), Rotorua (2-6) and Taranaki (0-8) will be joined by the NZ U17 girls team for a round robin and then a playoff against the lowest finisher in the top-six championship.

Otago Gold Rush 58 (Kali Bennett 16, Suzie Bates 15, Danielle Calnan 12)
Canterbury Wildcats 47 (Cece Zambrini 12)
Halftime 30-16
STATS LINK

Final Round Robin Standings (with tiebreakers on head-to-head)
1. Waikato Wizards (7-1)
2. Otago Gold Rush (6-2)
3. Hutt Valley-Porirua Flyers (6-2)
4. Auckland Lady Hawks (5-3)
5. Harbour Breeze (5-3)
6. Nelson Sparks (3-5)
----------------------------------- Top 6 Finals Spots
7. Rotorua Lady Vols (2-6)
8. Canterbury Wildcats (2-6)
9. Taranaki Thunder (0-8)

ALSO Check out Wildcats photos from the weekend here courtesy of AJ van Hasselt