The Harbour Breeze made it two from two in the Sal’s NBL 18IN18 after beating the Otago Gold Rush 58-47 on Monday.
It was a far from convincing performance, but the win means the Breeze join the Auckland Dream at the top of the ladder, both teams with a 2-0 record.
On a night when neither team shot well, Harbour’s Keeley Tini was an exception making four from seven from beyond the arc. Tini tallied 14 points, Brooke Blair scored a dozen while Jess Moors was all energy with 12 rebounds, including five offensive boards.
Zoe Richards had 12 points and eight rebounds for Otago, with Lisa Wallbutton rolling back the years to put up 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Te Araroa Sopoaga was also impressive with eight points, five rebounds and seven assists while Bronwyn Kjestrup deserved a special mention.
The Gold Rush captain finished the night shift at Dunedin hospital at 8am on the day of the game before flying to Auckland to lead her team on the court.
Otago are back in action on Tuesday when, in a repeat of the 2018 Grand Final, they take on the Waikato Wizards. The Breeze next face the Canterbury Wildcats on Thursday.
Harbour Breeze 58 (Keeley Tini 14, Brooke Blair 12) Otago Gold Rush 47 (Zoe Richards 12, Lisa Wallbutton 10)
