Near double-doubles from Jacinta Beckley (26 points and 11 rebounds) and Letava Whippy (11 points and 8 assists) propelled Te Wānanga O Raukawa Capital Swish to a dominant 83-51 victory against Firebrand Gold Rush in the early game on Day 2 of the Sal’s NBL at Pulman Arena on Friday.
Beckley, back from a stint playing for Sunbury Jets in Melbourne, scored the first 6 points of the game and Maia Jean Watene added two more before Savanna Handevidt got Gold Rush on the board.
Beckley was up to 13 points as Swish took a 26-9 lead into the quarter time break.
A Watene three extended the Capital lead before Josie Stockill unconventionally headed the ball out of play to thwart a Gold Rush fast break.
Handevidt was getting through a ton of work under the boards but unfortunately had to depart the action for the rest of the first half after incurring a head knock.
Gold Rush slipped further adrift as Stockill and Bulou Tuisue made baskets before Hannah Beede scored from deep.
Caitlin O’Connell scored 5 points for the Gold Rush late in the half but they had a mountain to climb at the interval trailing 54-22.
Gold Rush scored the first 8 points of the second half as Sophie Adams did some good work down low before Letava Whippy reignited the Swish offence.
Debutant Lauren Tewhata knocked down a contested three and although Millie Simpson replied Swish were almost out of sight at three-quarter time leading 69-35 enabling coach Brendan Polyblank to give extended minutes to his young brigade in the last ten minutes.
Capital Swish (83) defeated Otago Gold Rush (51)
GOLD RUSH: J Beckley 26pts/9rebs, L Whippy 11pts/8a/5stls, J Stockill 8/9r.
SWISH: S Adams 9, C O’Connell 5, H Beede 5.
Talking Points
Bartercard MVP Votes
10 points J Beckley (Swish)
6 points – L Whippy (Swish)
6 points – J Stockill (Swish)
3 points – S Gallaher (Gold Rush)
3 points – S Adams (Gold Rush)
1 point – C O’Connell (Gold Rush)
1 point – T Clement (Gold Rush)
